Featured Articles Archive - Page 326

Maryland casino referendum launches big spending

By the time Maryland voters head to the polls Nov. 6, two casino companies combined might contribute more money to a gaming expansion referendum than was spent during the state's gubernatorial election two years ago.When the dust settles, either MGM Resorts International will have convinced Maryland voters to approve construction of a hotel-casino complex roughly 10 miles from the nation's capital, or Penn National Gaming's argument that the state has enough casinos will have been heard.Either way, Maryland voters are going to be bombarded.So far the scorecard reads: MGM Resorts International, $5.4 million in campaign contributions; Penn National Gaming, Inc., $9.5 million.And clearly more money is on the way.MGM Resorts Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Alan Feldman couldn't predict how much MGM Resorts would spend in favor of passing the ballot measure."We are prepared to see this through," Feldman said Thursday...read more

MGM Resorts prices $1 billion in new unsecured debt

LAS VEGAS -- For the second time this year, MGM Resorts International priced $1 billion in new unsecured debt, saying Friday the 6.75 percent notes will come due in 2020.Earlier, the casino operator announced the pursuit of $700 million in new debt but kicked up the figure by $300 million later in the day...read more

Patrick Miller appointed Monte Carlo GM

LAS VEGAS -- Patrick Miller was named general manager of Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, returning to the Strip resort where he spent five years in casino operations.MGM Resorts International announced the appointment Friday. Miller replaces Anton Nikodemus, who was named president of casino marketing for MGM Resorts last month.Miller most recently served as vice president of marketing at Mandalay Bay...read more

Taking or laying Odds at craps lowers the edge, but does it really pay?

Pass and Come or Don’t Pass and Don’t Come are two-stage craps wagers. When a two, three, seven, 11, or 12 pops on the initial or “come-out” roll, these bets are resolved immediately. If a four, five, six, eight, nine, or 10 shows, the number becomes the “point” for subsequent rolls...read more

CityCenter's performance turns corner, and MGM is glad

LAS VEGAS -- CityCenter has not always been about just gaming.The development, which was created by MGM Resorts International and carried a price tag of $8.5 billion when it opened in December 2009, was the most ambitious project ever built in Las Vegas.It was also the most highly scrutinized, a fact that remains today.CityCenter had just one casino, the 4,004-room centerpiece CityCenter Aria Resort & Casino...read more

Top-10 home poker essentials

Last week, I wrote about how to inject a little energy into your home poker game. But if you're just looking to start a home game for the first time, you'll need a few things to get the game off the ground.Here's a list of 10 things that every home game should have.10...read more

Bally Tech hopes slot fans will pine for "Pawn"

LAS VEGAS -- Chumlee has been immortalized on a slot machine.Game maker Bally Technologies, Inc. will unveil a slot machine based on the History Channel show "Pawn Stars" at next month's Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas.The slot machine features the likenesses of the cable television show's stars - Rick Harrison, Richard Harrison, Corey Harrison and the popular Austin "Chumlee" Russell - on the game's spinning reels...read more

Affinity Gaming to sell three Northern Nevada casinos

LAS VEGAS -- Affinity Gaming has agreed to sell three of its casinos in Northern Nevada for $19.2 million to a private investment group that includes the company's chief operating officer.Affinity, which was formed following the December 2010 bankruptcy reorganization of Herbst Gaming, said Friday it would sell its casinos in Reno, Verdi and Dayton to Truckee Gaming...read more

Sands taps Madrid as preferred locale for "Eurovegas"

LAS VEGAS -- Las Vegas Sands Corp. announced Friday it had selected Madrid as the preferred location to build its planned $22 billion "Eurovegas" development.In a statement, company officials said they selected Madrid over fellow Spanish city Barcelona because the regional government had been a strong advocate of the potential development, which could include 12 hotels and six casinos.Las Vegas Sands officials said the process was still in the early phases...read more

A guide to anticipating bankroll swings in games you haven't tried yet

Exceptional instances or runs of good or bad luck can make or break a casino visit for anybody. Few players ever encounter either. Most tend to bet the same amount or press or regress wagers over a modest range from round to round. Their fortunes therefore typically rise and fall gradually, albeit at rates depending on the chances and amounts they win or lose in any coup. Experience with particular games and propositions, bet sizes, and bankrolls may give solid citizens reliable intuition about how far and fast to expect profits or losses to mount under normal circumstances...read more