Featured Articles Archive - Page 241

Top Bay State gaming official rebuffs criticism

It has been two years since Massachusetts took steps to become the gaming industry’s next casino development destination, but cards haven’t left the dealing shoes and slot machines remain silent.Local Massachusetts communities have rejected three casino proposals in the past 12 months...read more

So sorry, Mr. Poster, your plug's been pulled

LAS VEGAS -- If Tim Poster’s suitability hearing in front of Nevada gaming regulators had been filmed for reality television, it might have saved that awful “The Casino” series he and business partner Tom Breitling had when they owned the Golden Nugget in 2004.Low ratings caused the show’s cancellation after a half-dozen episodes.Poster’s 4½-hour meeting with the Nevada Gaming Control Board in Carson City on Wednesday had everything “The Casino” lacked: drama, compelling dialogue, guest appearances, and several plot twists.The only aspect missing at the hearing was the surprise ending.It was clear from the outset that Poster, 45, was doomed in his quest to gain a preliminary finding of suitability, which is one step removed from obtaining a full-fledged Nevada gaming license.Too many issues weighed down the application, including his relationship with Rick Rizzolo, a former strip club owner with ties to mob figures; hiding evidence from gaming investigators; illegal sports wagering on the Internet; and allegations that he acted as an agent for an off-shore Internet sports book.Control board member Terry Johnson said Poster wasn’t even questioned about possible income-tax evasion issues.The regulators didn’t pull their punches.“I’m not in favor of this application,” board member Shawn Reid said toward the end of the hearing...read more

Deal Me In: Splitting 5s is where "never" applies

Dear Mark: I got into disagreement with a player on a blackjack game over splitting 5s when the dealer was showing a six. Granted, I am no expert, but I told him he should never split 5s. Instead, he should double down. I posed the question to the dealer, and she stated they were not allowed to give advice...read more

Poker Player Tweets of the Week: Glasses half full

It's been two weeks since my last "Poker Player Tweets of the Week" column. Did you miss me? I thought so.Anyway, I have a couple of good excuses. For my international readers (I may be making a big leap using "reader" as a plural), last Thursday was Thanksgiving, the most glutinous of all the face-stuffing American holidays...read more

Gaming regulators reject former casino exec's suitability request

LAS VEGAS -- Former Golden Nugget owner and Wynn Resorts, Limited executive Tim Poster struck out Wednesday in an attempt to gain a preliminary finding of suitability from Nevada gaming regulators, an initial step toward receiving a full-fledged gaming license.The Gaming Control Board spent more than 4 1/2 hours grilling Poster at a hearing in Carson City over a number of allegations raised by agents in their investigation, including Poster’s past relationship with Rick Rizzolo, a former strip club owner with ties to mob figures; hiding evidence from investigators; illegal sports wagering on the Internet; and an allegation that he was agent for an off-shore Internet sports book.The three-person board unanimously rejected Poster’s request.“This was originally a look into if you had any dealings with Mr...read more

Acquisition of Hacienda gets gaming regulators' preliminary OK

Nevada Restaurant Services, Inc., which operates more than 80 Dotty’s taverns statewide, was given preliminary approval Wednesday by the Gaming Control Board to acquire the Hacienda near Boulder City.The 289-room hotel-casino overlooking Lake Mead will be renamed the Hoover Dam Lodge and will close for a week over Christmas once the sale is finalized.The Nevada Gaming Commission will make a final recommendation on the matter on Dec...read more

Grand Bazaar Shops planned for entrance to Bally's Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS -- Even with competition from more than a half-billion dollars’ worth of elaborate Strip retail districts under development, Larry Siegel says his planned Grand Bazaar Shops near the entrance to Bally’s - Las Vegas will stand out.His design and concept inspiration was the “world’s great markets,” such as the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, the night markets in Asia and the spice markets in India.“We’re going to create almost 60,000 square feet of energy that will draw in the 22 million or so visitors who walk by that space annually,” said Siegel, chairman of the Juno Property Group, which has been planning the development for almost three years.The $50 million project began construction Tuesday and will take over the plaza area in front of Bally’s...read more

Macau gaming revenues reach $40 billion in 2013

With one month left in 2013, Macau’s casino industry already has blown away its 2012 record gaming revenue production.In November, Macau casinos collected $3.8 billion from customers, which, when added to the figures from the previous 10 months, gives the market $40.9 billion in gaming revenues in 2013...read more

Q&A with Dennis Mathews, operations manager for Red Rock Lanes

LAS VEGAS -- Dennis Mathews, 44, picked up his first bowling ball at age 8 and has spent most of his life in a bowling center.He wouldn’t have it any other way.Mathews, who has operated the 72-lane Red Rock Lanes inside Station Casinos’ Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa since its opening in 2006, has spent 27 years in bowling center management...read more

Las Vegas Sands Corp. announces plans to refinance existing debt

LAS VEGAS -- Las Vegas Sands Corp. announced plans Monday to refinance the company’s existing debt using a consortium of banks.The casino operator, which owns The Venetian and Palazzo as well as casinos in Macau and Singapore, said in the brief statement the proposed refinancing would extend the maturity dates for the company’s long-term debt and remove certain financial covenants.As of Sept...read more