Category Archives: Casino

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) A man is accused of making terroristic threats to blow up the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, according to an arrest report obtained by 13 Action News.

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police were called to the hotel on Wednesday at approximately 8:48 a.m. after they were told a man had left a restaurant there without paying.

Police were also told the man told a hostess that he "owed" the building and he would "blow it up," the report states.

A security guard at the hotel told police they recognized the man from surveillance camera footage. He was taken into custody and has since been identified as 61-year-old James Rummel.

He was arrested for making terroristic threats, the report states.

"Rummel later threatened to kill me if I took him to a hospital," the arresting office wrote. "Rummel later stated he would kill me if I took him to [the Clark County Detention Center]."

Rummel was booked into the Clark County Detention Center. As of Friday morning, he remained jailed on a $20,000 bond, according to CCDC records.

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Man arrested after threatening to blow up Tropicana Hotel and Casino - KTNV 13 Action News Las Vegas

Ballys, owner of the states two casinos, has sued the towns of Lincoln and Tiverton, claiming their property taxes should be reduced due to the impact of COVID-19.

In separate lawsuits filed in Superior Court, Ballys claims that government mandates significantly limited business operations at both Tiverton Casino & Hotel and at Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort, which were closed for a period of time and then re-opened with reduced hours.

Despite the casinos limited operations in 2020 and the beginning of 2021, Ballys said the towns failed to apply an economic obsolescence factor to the December 2020 assessment. Economic obsolescence is a loss in value due to causes beyond the physical asset.

More: Twin River employees accuse casino of failing to pay adequate overtime in class-action suit

Ballys says the Lincoln tax assessor assessed Twin River at $108.4 million in December 2020 the same value as the previous year. Ballys appealed the assessment in October and the town later denied it.

Ballys contends that the assessments of both casinos constitute an illegal tax on the two properties.

In a nearly identical suit against Tiverton, Ballys claims that the assessment of its casino and hotel was assessed at $60.4 million in December 2020. Again, Ballys appealed the assessment and again, the appeal was denied.

In both suits, the company says the December 2020 assessments were greater than the fair market value of the properties.

The Journal has reached out to David Robert, Tivertons tax assessor, and Lincolns assessor, Brenda Keeble.

More: Elsewhere, casinos are having their best year ever. So why are they struggling in RI?

More: As COVID fades, Rhode Island casinos ease restrictions on smoking

Meanwhile, dozens of Ballys Twin River employees, wearing red T-shirts that said Ballys United, gathered in front of Providence City Hall on Tuesday to demand that the company restore pre-pandemic staff levels and hours at the casino. The workers were joined by other Ballys employees, Local 26 leaders (the hospitality and food service workers union) and Providence City Council members Jo-Ann Ryan and Carmen Castillo.

With their union contract expiring on July 1, workers called for the full reopening of the casino and significant wage increases.

Employees claim the casino business has remained profitable despite the pandemic. In 2021, they said, gambling revenues at Twin River rose to nearly 81% of pre-pandemic levels.

But, they said, before the pandemic there were three times as many full-time workers as there are now. Among the 260 workers currently on the schedule, workers said only 64 are employed full time. Because the casino is understaffed, employees said they are exhausted after their shifts, according to a statement from Local 26.

Linda Borg covers education for the Journal.

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RI casino owner Bally's sues Lincoln and Tiverton over property values - The Providence Journal

On its face its a shocking figure: 147 incidents over four years where 268 children were left unattended at Bethlehems casino.

The incidents from 2018 to 2021 ranged from a mere minute to nine hours, and are part of an increasingly concerning trend at the casino, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board said Wednesday.

Now, owners Wind Creek Hospitality have developed a mitigation plan to not only deter parents or guardians from leaving kids alone, but detecting incidents as well.

The PGCB did not detail each incident, but said the kids ages ranged from 2 months to 17 years old, and they were found in various locations, from parked cars and secure hotel rooms to the food court or the outlet mall, the PGCB said.

The casino was owned by the Sands before it was sold in 2019 to Wind Creek.

More recently, from 2021 to April 2022, there were 43 times children were found alone on the casino property. Of those:

Wind Creeks plan, presented Wednesday, includes more signage in and around the casino, increased training for staff, and mobile patrols in parking areas and foot patrols inside by outside security.

For the past several months, probably better part of a year, we have analyzed a lot of incident reports, poured through a lot of data, to really focus on what we believe are the most problematic areas, the things we could tackle to reduce this problem as much as possible, Michael Magazzu, Wind Creeks executive director of compliance and risk assessment, said.

Most of the recent incidents involved the food court, and Magazzu said new signs on every table there have cut down on children being left alone.

But one PGCB member took issue with the signs used for people leaving the parking garage, saying that minors must be accompanied by an adult.

The sign should say, Parents, dont leave your kids in the car! I dont know why youre dancing around the issue, Sean Logan said. Youre here because people are leaving kids in cars unattended. And theyre leaving kids in their hotel rooms unattended.

Glenn Granitz, the former Allentown police chief who is now head of security at Wind Creek, told the board of improvements made to security patrols in the outlet mall and food court area, including a security officer stationed in the food court.

The casino has also increased its use of Bethlehem police officers patrolling parking lots, both on foot and in cars.

Granitz spoke about the large size of the campus and how ArtsQuest hosts a number of large events that attract kids and families to the neighboring SteelStacks. Recently, when it rained during prom season, the casino becomes a place for pictures, he said.

Clearly a lot of people of all ages coming and going, he said.

This is the second mitigation plan for unattended children at casinos in Pennsylvania, the PCGB said.

The first was developed by Valley Forge Casino Resort in Montgomery County in November 2021. Valley Forges plan included a new infrared camera system to detect children and adults in vehicles with tinted windows.

Wind Creek does not use infrared cameras, but Granitz said its something being considered.

Since the Board publicly addressed this serious situation, we have seen the casinos step up their efforts to detect children left unattended on their property while adults responsible for their care gamble, said Gaming Control Board Executive Director Kevin OToole. All casinos are taking this matter seriously and we expect more specific plans, such as those implemented at Valley Forge and Wind Creek casinos, to come before us in the near future.

The board did not say how many of the 147 incidents resulted in an arrest and/or charges.

Lehighvalleylive.com has reported on some of the incidents. In 2019, a New Jersey woman was accused of leaving three kids under the age of 10 alone in a car for two hours in 2019. The next year, an 8-year-old boy and his 2-year-old sister were found wandering the fifth floor of the parking garage in January.

The figures released Wednesday were news to the Northampton County District Attorneys Office, which was not contacted by Wind Creek or the board about the issue.

The casino sits in Northampton County, and arrests in incidents involving children would be referred by law enforcement to the district attorneys child abuse and sexual assault unit, headed by Chief Deputy District Attorney Tatum Wilson.

We would welcome the the opportunity to talk to the casino or the PGCB, Wilson said.

Wilson said the number of cases prosecuted by the unit during the four-year timeframe doesnt match the figures provided by the PGCB.

Every incident would not result in a parent or guardian being arrested and/or charged. Charging a parent would depend on a number of factors, including the age of the child, how long they were left alone, where they were found, and if it involved a vehicle, Wilson said

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Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com.

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268 kids were left alone at Bethlehems casino over 4 years. A new plan seeks to change that. - lehighvalleylive.com

DEXTER Dexter students celebrated their 2022 prom at the schools football stadium on Saturday, May 14.

Under the light of a golden sunset, students walked a red carpet into a grand tent for their casino-themed prom, posing for polaroids along the way.

Students enjoyed mocktails, snacks and music as well as a host of casino games from roulette to blackjack.

Check out our photos from the night above or for a direct link to the gallery click here. You can order prints of any of these prom photos by clicking the Buy photo button in the caption of every photo. Subscribers click the Get photo link to download high-resolution images right to their device for free as part of their subscription.

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To see all of MLives prom coverage, click this link.

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Dexter students take to football field for casino themed prom - MLive.com

MONTREAL - Croupiers at the Montreal Casino say they will walk off the job once again today following a surprise four-hour strike on Saturday.

Employees stopped working on Saturday afternoon to denounce stalled negotiations over the new collective agreement, which came to an impasse last weekend.

The strike is set to resume today from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The collective agreement that regulates the working conditions of 521 dealers expired on March 31, 2020, with salaries and schedules among the issues at stake.

Union representative Jean-Pierre Proulx said contract talks will resume on Tuesday with a mediator, adding he hopes this weekends actions demonstrate the need to find a satisfactory deal.

Loto-Qubec, which manages the provinces casinos, said clients will still be able to access gaming tables during the temporary strike except in the poker room.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2022.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

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Croupiers plan to walk off the job at Montreal Casino for the second time in two days - Toronto Star

Posted on: May 15, 2022, 04:22h.

Last updated on: May 15, 2022, 05:31h.

The April reading of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 8.3%, representing a meager decline from the 8.5% increase in March, but enough to keep consumer prices at the highest levels since 1982.

At least one casino executive says signs are mounting that inflation is weighing on the gaming industry. In a recent interview with CNBC, Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen notes inflation is affecting operators in a variety of ways.

Specific to Hard Rock, which is one of the largest tribal gaming entities in the US, Allen points out building materials prices have just exploded. Thats relevant to the operators Las Vegas Strip ambitions.

Last December, Florida-based Hard Rock said its paying $1.075 billion for the operating rights to the Mirage. But the operators spend isnt ending there. Its planning to gut the venues famous volcano and redesign the property in the shape of the ubiquitous Hard Rock guitar. Amid high inflation, supply chain issues, and labor shortages, Mirage enhancements could cost more than expected, though Allen didnt say as much in the interview.

Regional casinos are among the contributors to the industrys rebound from the coronavirus pandemic. But that strength could be tested, as gas prices remain high across the country, with no signs of near-term relief.

We look at gasoline anywhere from $5 to $6 a gallon, Allen told CNCB. Theres no doubt that in most regional gaming markets that customer is a day-tripper, utilizing gasoline to get to the facility. And when thats up 30% to 40%, thats going to be problematic.

The Hard Rock chief executives comments on gas prices affecting regional casinos carry weight, because the companys portfolio of US casinos is largely regional properties. That includes venues in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, and Ohio.

Additionally, tribal operators in Oklahoma, of which Hard Rock is one, could be affected by consumers dialing back on driving simply in the name of visiting a casino. Oklahoma casinos are heavily dependent on visitors from neighboring Texas, and the same applies to commercial regional casinos in Louisiana.

Likewise, casinos in the Reno/Lake Tahoe market could be crimped by California gas prices the highest in the lower 48 states.

Allen said Las Vegas is proving resilient against the backdrop of higher inflation, and that Hard Rocks Florida casinos are sturdy, For now.

With gaming industry earnings season drawing to a close, its accurate to say theres been plenty of inflation talk on conference calls. One of the obvious takeaways is that Strip-heavy operators, namely Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ:CZR) and MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM), are noting soaring consumer prices arent yet sapping demand for travel to Las Vegas.

However, some operators are seeing signs of reduced spending among cost-conscious patrons, including in the Las Vegas locals demographic.

There is no doubt that inflation with food and groceries and even gasoline has an impact on the lowest segments in the database for sure, said Red Rock Resorts (NASDAQ:RRR) CEO Frank Fertitta on the company first-quarter earnings conference call earlier this month.

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Inflation Could Take Toll On Casinos, Says Hard Rock CEO Allen - Casino.Org News

What happened

Shares of both Las Vegas Sands (LVS 15.06%) and Wynn Resorts (WYNN 13.17%)finished the week in the black, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, while Caesars Entertainment (CZR 10.36%) erased most of a large deficit after Shanghai officials announced they will end weeks of strict lockdowns and attempt to reopen again in a few days.

Sands ended the week up 1.1% from where it closed last Friday after having been down 12% going into the last day of trading, while Wynn was essentially flat after having been down by a like percentage.

Although Caesars still ended the week off 8%, it had been down as much as 19% during the week, so it made up almost as much ground as its peers.

Image source: Getty Images.

China has dealt harshly with its citizens to contain new outbreaks of COVID-19, with the Shanghai population of 25 million people absolutely forbidden from leaving their homes, oftentimes not even allowing for deliveries, leading to massive food shortages. Beijing has been subject to similar forced lockdowns.

It's having a rippling effect across numerous industries as global trade and supply chains have also been impacted by the lockdowns. According to Reuters, restaurants, malls, and entertainment and tourist venues have been closed, bus, subway, and taxi service has been suspended, and residents have been forced to remain in their buildings with almost daily COVID-19 testing required.

Since the lockdowns began at the end of March, the casino stocks are still down even after Friday's rally, with Las Vegas Sands off 11%, Wynn down 17%, and Caesars down 28%.

The reason casinos have fell as hard as they have is because mainland China is the largest source of tourism for Macao, the only place in China where it's legal to gamble. Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong are all major cities that contribute to Macao casino revenue. The lockdowns kept visitors from coming to the casinos.

While easing lockdowns is a positive step, casino stocks will unlikely see any benefit initially, and maybe for some time to come as gambling is not about to be the first thing people who have been short of food and necessities will think about.

Link:

Why Casino Stocks Soared This Week to Beat Out the Stock Market - The Motley Fool

FLINT, MI Dressed in their finest threads, Madison Academy celebrated in style for prom night.

With a Night at the Casino theme, nearly 30 students dined and danced the night away at the Hilton Garden Inn on Friday, May 13 in downtown Flints new hotel.

These four years have been a wild roller coaster for my graduating class, said senior Antonio Sweeney. So having a traditional prom is a way for us to dance our worries away with style and grace.

Check out the gallery above or click here to view all of the photos. You can order prints of any of these prom photos by clicking the Buy photo button in the caption of every photo. Subscribers click the Get photo link to download high-resolution images right to their device for free as part of their subscription. To subscribe, click this link.

Scroll to see our top 10 favorites from the night:

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

To see all of MLives prom coverage, click this link.

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Madison Academy celebrates in style with Night at the Casino prom - MLive.com

ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS

UPDATE: A huge police presence was still on scene near the front entrance late in the afternoon Saturday, which was blocked. However, customers and staff are saying the casino is not closed, and an alternate route is available. Exactly what occurred is still being sorted out, and we hope to have an update to share soon.

Original: EAN reporter Dale Barnett initially reported that Wind Creek Casino of Montgomery has been evacuated, and law enforcement had the front entrance blocked.

WSFA has reported The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office confirms an on-duty deputy was rushed to the hospital Saturday afternoon in the area of the casino. Maj. Gayle Atchison said the deputy was taken to Baptist East after being exposed to a narcotic. It happened around 3 p.m. near the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel off Eddie L Tullis Road.

The narcotic wasnt specified, but Atchison said the unidentified deputy was given doses of Narcan.

There are numerous state troopers, Montgomery Sheriff officers, and rescue vehicles at the main entrance to the Casino and they were not allowing anyone to enter the main entrance to the property. One State Trooper stated the casino was closed but could not discuss details. There was a tremendous back up of traffic at the toll Bridge coming into Elmore County.

One person leaving the casino said everyone was asked to evacuate, but no reason was given.

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Montgomery Deputy recovering after being exposed to Narcotic in area of Wind Creek Montgomery - Elmore Autauga News

Casino revenue in the state of Illinois reached nine figures in March for the first time in 2022, as its 11 venues combined to generate more than $119 million in adjusted operator revenue, according to figures released by the Illinois Gaming Board.

The new year saw a slow start for casinos in the Prairie State, with Januarys revenue coming in at just $87.8 million before bumping up slightly to $93.6 million for February. But a month-over-month surge in attendance that saw nearly 180,000 more admissions partially attributable to the states mask mandate ending in response to improved COVID-19 conditions, as well as some secondary NCAA Tournament traffic from retail sportsbooks contributed to a 27.3% increase in revenue that was also aided by three extra days of wagering compared to February.

Year-over-year, Marchs revenue figure was 12.8% higher than the $105.7 million claimed by operators in 2021. Through the first three months of this year, casino revenue excluding sports wagering has totaled $300.5 million 43.2% higher versus the first quarter of 2021. The state collected $17.6 million in tax receipts for March, and its three-month total of $39 million is currently $13.7 million ahead of last years pace.

Sports wagering in Illinois generated $101.8 million in adjusted revenue and $15.2 million in state tax receipts during the first two months of the year. Sports betting operators have different submission deadlines for revenue reports, and Marchs numbers have yet to be released.

Located just outside Chicagos city limits, Rivers Casino in Des Plaines reported more than 235,000 admissions for March, an increase of more than 80,000 from February. The result was the Rush Street Gaming-run venue generating more than $44 million in revenue, a 38.5% increase from February.

Rivers accounted for 55.5% of the nearly $29 million in table games revenue from the 10 locations offering that type of action, with its $16.1 million representing a 41.3% month-over-month upswing. And Rivers table games rate of $68.27 per admission was nearly double the state average of $36.75.

Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin was the only other venue to generate more than 10% of the states overall revenue from table games, with its $3.2 million accounting for nearly 11% of the total. It and Harrahs Joliet were the only two other casinos to better the state average of table games revenue per admission at $38.62 and $38.30, respectively.

Table games revenue averaged more than $24 million in the first three months of the year, with the $72 million total nearly $20 million ahead of 2021s total.

The states 11 venues that offer electronic gaming and slots combined to generate nearly $90.2 million in operator revenue, an increase of 25.2% from February. Rivers again paced all operators with just shy of $28 million and was one of three operators to reach eight figures, along with Grand Victoria ($11 million) and Harrahs Joliet ($10.3 million).

Harrahs Joliet also had the highest EGD revenue per admission at $158.60 and highest overall revenue per admission at $196.90. The latter figure topped Rivers by nearly $10 per head, but the overall state average of $151.12 was 7.7% lower than Februarys $163.71 and 6.9% off March 2021s average of $162.34.

Illinois 42,000-plus video gaming terminals (VGTs) statewide outside Chicago where the machines are forbidden by city ordinance also provided a huge boost to state coffers, as they generated just shy of $250 million in Net Terminal Income for March. It was a 23.5% increase from Februarys NTI of $202.1 million, aided by a sharp rise in funds in the amount of money entered by patrons playing at the 7,917 establishments.

Funds in totaled $973.3 million, an increase of 23.5% from February and a 2.3% uptick from March 2021, when $246.6 million in NTI was reported. The state received close to $72.4 million in tax receipts from VGT play this year, with local municipalities claiming an additional $12.5 million.

VGT tax receipts totaled slightly more than $220 million in the first quarter of 2022, outpacing last years first quarter by more than $50 million, as there are 3,599 more terminals in operation versus 2021. Local municipalities have received $32.3 million in tax receipts this year, a 29.7% improvement from the first three months of last year.

Photo: Shutterstock

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Illinois Casino And VGT Revenue Bounce Back Strongly In March - US Bets