Featured Articles Archive - Page 233

Author of report says both sides misrepresent study on Web gambling, money laundering

The author of a new report on the use of Internet gaming for money laundering activities said Monday the findings of the study have been misrepresented by both anti-online wagering activists and pro-Web gaming backers.The white paper — “Jackpot! Money Laundering Through Online Gambling” — was released last week by cyber security firm McAfee, which supplies Internet safety software for businesses and home computers.The paper immediately fueled heated rhetoric over its conclusions.“I feel like I kicked a hornets’ nest,” Raj Samani, chief technology officer of McAfee and lead author of the report, said in a phone interview from his offices in London...read more

Baccarat results boost casinos; analysts see other upbeat indicators

LAS VEGAS -- Baccarat results helped Nevada casinos end 2014’s two-month gaming revenue slide in March.But analysts said there were other positive indications, beyond the totals produced by the high-end card game, that point toward an overall market turn-around.The Nevada State Gaming Control Board said Tuesday gaming revenue statewide increased 7.6 percent to $982.2 million during the month...read more

MGM Resorts posts best quarterly operating performance since 2008

LAS VEGAS -- MGM Resorts International on Tuesday reported its best quarterly operating performance in six years.Now, the casino company, whose Strip holdings include Bellagio, MGM Grand Las Vegas, Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino and the CityCenter development, is looking to better that performance.The Las Vegas-based casino giant said its net income for the quarter that ended March 31 was $108.2 million, or 21 cents per share...read more

Report's author says both sides misrepresent study on Web gambling, money laundering

The author of a new report on the use of Internet gaming for money laundering activities said Monday the findings of the study have been misrepresented by both anti-online wagering activists and pro-Web gaming backers.The white paper — “Jackpot! Money Laundering Through Online Gambling” — was released last week by cyber security firm McAfee, which supplies Internet safety software for businesses and home computers.The paper immediately fueled heated rhetoric over its conclusions.“I feel like I kicked a hornets’ nest,” Raj Samani, chief technology officer of McAfee and lead author of the report, said in a phone interview from his offices in London...read more

April 2014 Featured Game report

As I wrote at the beginning of the year, I've decided to "spice up" my Featured Game responsibilities for Casino City. I am now keeping track of my results for each week, and will provide monthly, quarterly and a final annual report at the end of the year.As noted in my introductory story, my plan is to bet $1 of play money per line per spin, or as close to it as possible, until triggering the bonus round...read more

MGM aims to make a bit of the Strip a more interesting place to walk and play

MGM Resorts International today will unveil detailed plans for an eight-acre outdoor destination on the Strip that will connect the New York-New York Hotel & Casino and Monte Carlo Resort and Casino with a pedestrian-friendly environment.Simply dubbed The Park, the space on the Strip’s west side will include landscaped areas, casual eateries, bars, restaurants and retail attractions...read more

Nikodemus named COO of MGM Resorts International regional division

LAS VEGAS -- MGM Resorts International named Anton Nikodemus as chief operating officer of the company’s new regional division.In the new role, Nikodemus will oversee MGM Resorts’ casino operations in Mississippi, Detroit, and projects planned for Springfield, Mass., and Prince George’s County, Md....read more

Top-10 observations from covering my first poker tournament

Last weekend I covered the final two days of the World Poker Tour (WPT) Season XII World Championship at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City. It was the first major poker tournament I had ever been to, much less covered as a journalist...read more

What is Strip land worth? Echelon deal offers ideas

LAS VEGAS -- For now, we have a benchmark on Strip land values.The sale by Boyd Gaming Corporation of the 87-acre Echelon site to the Genting Group for $350 million — roughly $4.02 million an acre — gave analysts an idea of what property on the Strip might be worth in today’s market.We’re long past the 2007 apex when owners of New York’s Plaza Hotel paid Phil Ruffin $1.2 billion — about $34 million an acre — for the aging New Frontier...read more

Making a disused hotel roof a striking Las Vegas pool club all in Drai's work

LAS VEGAS -- Nightclub operator Victor Drai considered the roof of the former Barbary Coast and Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall &Saloon untapped potential.Drai, 66, a Los Angeles-based nightlife mogul, operated Drai’s After Hours in the basement of the small Strip casino...read more