Democratic Assemblyman Harvey Munford introduced AJR 6 last week and plans to testify on the bill on Thursday in the Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee. Munford said the proposal would help generate revenue without imposing a new tax, and would require lottery proceeds to support public education and senior citizens.
A woman from Surfside Beach won $100,000 from a stack of tickets she had checked, according to S.C. Education Lottery officials. The woman had the tickets checked and learned she won $100,000 on one of them, officials said in a release Thursday.
Gaming supplier International Game Technology (IGT) signed a deal with Baha Mar Resort, to deploy games to half of the slot floor and result-driven casino management system, sbX Floor Manager.
Under the deal, IGT will install more than 500 slot machines and a vast array of games including Wheel of Fortune and new S3000 spinning reel cabinet.
The $3.5 billion Baha Mar resort casino in Nassau, Bahamas has 100,000 square feet casino floor, which is expected to open this month. The development will include a resort, hotels, restaurants, a golf course, and retail shops.
“We’re thrilled to bring so many IGT games in combination with our innovative systems to such an esteemed casino project,” said Tim Shortall, IGT VP of Eastern Region Sales. “IGT’s decades of leadership in the global marketplace give us the tools and expertise needed to deliver a diverse casino portfolio that will appeal to Baha Mar’s international audience. Through the deployment of sbX Floor Manager, Baha Mar can further refine and optimize its casino floor and deliver on its promise of the most remarkable casino in the Caribbean.”
The race to win Massachusetts’ third casino license had another false start after the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) voted on Thursday to grant developers KG Urban and Crossroads a new extension to complete their applications.
Both developers had asked for more time after failing to meet a previously granted extension that ended on March 16. The gaming commission extended the deadline to May 4, giving the firms seven more weeks to get their proposals in order.
Of the two, KG Urban is further along in completing its application after securing a host community agreement with New Bedford Mayor John Mitchell. Part of that agreement includes paying the city $12.5m per year and $4.5 million upfront if the casino is built. KG Urban doesn’t yet have funding sources to show to the MGC but is optimistic that, with a host agreement secured, investors will now come flocking.
The Somerset group led by developer Crossroads also has no investors and has yet to sign a city agreement.
A Nevada politician on his way out the door forever is making one final attempt to overturn his state’s ban on statewide lotteries.
Assemblyman Harvey Munford laid out his proposal to skeptical members of the Legislative Operations and Elections Committee on Thursday. There have been dozens of attempts to establish a statewide lottery in the past 40 years and they’ve all failed. But Munford is being term-limited out of office, i.e. he’s like a neutron bomb survivor who knows he’s doomed to die, so suicide missions hold no fear.
As ever, Munford is pitching a lottery as the way to “help our education system and the elderly constituents without raising taxes.” As ever, the casino industry is dead set agin’ it. Even if Munford succeeds in getting a bill out of committee, passing it would take approval by two consecutive legislative sessions and a ballot referendum.
Nevada is one of only six US states that has no government-backed lottery, which creates comical scenes whenever a Mega Millions jackpot climbs into the mid six-figures. Gas stations and convenience stores just across the state line can attract 1,000-person lineups with four-hour waits to get your tickets. (And probably, after that much time in the sun, a Big Gulp.)
According to a new article in the Macau Daily Times, the island’s world-class gaming industry may be called upon by the government to support a new local arts initiative on the island. Members of the Committee of Cultural Industries want to increase the number of creative industry venues in Macau, and the committee suggests that the gaming industry and the local government should play a role.
According to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators, one in four Texans has unclaimed property, totaling more than $3 billion across the state. Nothing beats the feeling of finding a $20 bill in the jeans you just washed.
Iforium customers to profit from selection of original and branded content across multiple platforms
18 March 2015, London, UK (Press Release) — Premium online games supplier iSoftBet has bolstered its industry exposure by making its range of innovative mobile and desktop slots available to Iforium customers on the heralded Gameflex platform.
Iforium’s commitment to taking a modern and flexible approach to gaming prompted the development of its successful Gameflex platform, and iSoftBet games will heavily complement the offerings available from the renowned platform provider.
Not only will the platform benefit from iSoftBet’s innovative range of original slots, but Iforium customers will also profit from the provider’s stunning selection of mobile games developed in HTML5 and its unique catalogue of branded content from some of the world’s leading TV and film production companies.
World’s largest poker hand database adds HTML5 replayer and social sharing functionality
Edinburgh, UK (Press Release) – iGaming super affiliate 180Vita today announced the relaunch of WeakTight.com, the world’s largest online poker hand sharing site and converter.
The Scotland-based company acquired Weaktight in May 2014, and has spent several months redeveloping the site from the ground up and ensuring it sets the standard for poker hand sharing for years to come. Among the new features on the streamlined site is an HTML5 hand replayer, allowing users to review and study their play on almost any device.
Ahead of the launch, 180Vita conducted a one-month Beta phase, during which time the company took on feedback from WeakTight’s users to ensure a well-rounded product.
Lee Davy airs his views on a week in poker that saw the World Poker Tour live up to its name, Pamela Anderson claiming that her husband Rick Salomon was one of the biggest winners of 2014, and PokerStars hiring an ambassador that will certainly divide opinion.
I don’t confess to know much about Japan.
I know they get a lot of earthquakes, they didn’t fuck about with their prisoners of war, and they have a really cool flag.
So when PokerStars announced they had signed Japanese model Yuiko Matsukawa, as their new brand ambassador, I had to turn to Google to learn more. What did she model? Overcoats? Umbrellas? Japanese gadgetry?
Mississippi regulators renewed the gaming license of Universal Entertainment chairman Kazuo Okada (pictured) on Thursday, but the renewal came with strings attached.
The Mississippi Gaming Commission (MGC) voted to approve the ‘suitability’ of Okada and Universal’s US gaming device subsidiary Aruze Gaming America, but only on the condition that a Federal Bureau of Investigation probe into Universal’s activities in the Philippines fails to turn up any dirty laundry.
The hearing came one day after the Japan-based Universal announced that the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation had “concluded” its investigation into Okada’s activities in their country. Universal’s local subsidiary, which is building an integrated resort in Manila’s Entertainment City, stood accused of funneling $40m to gaming regulators to obtain land concessions and other favors related to the casino project. Universal has denied allegations of bribery and claimed that the bulk of these payments were made by now ex-employees acting without authorization.
Okada himself appeared at the MGC hearing, making his first public appearance in the US since the brouhaha began several years ago. Okada told the MGC he wasn’t the “bad guy” portrayed in reports by the Reuters news agency and Japan’s Asahi Shimbun newspaper. Universal has sued these media outlets for “biased and unfair reporting.”
New casino Casinovo has launched to the market, offering players a full suite of games from the Betsoft, Endorphina & ICT software. They are licensed in Curacao, and available in English, French and German. Players can deposit and play in Euros, British Pounds or US Dollars.
Casinovo is very attractive to players (and affiliates) who are interested in Bitcoin casinos. They are also available on the mobile and have a unique live casino provided by Ezugi, which not only offers Live Blackjack and Roulette, but Live Baccarat, Live Keno and Live Lottery.
Ihre Consulting have been in business over 4 years, working with operators and affiliates to partner them together in mutually beneficial deals. We are now a market leader of third party networks and affiliate management services, with a key strength within Scandinavia, and with Germany, UK, Canada and Australia closely behind.
Edward Ihre commented: “Casinovo is a very attractive product for players and affiliates. They have some key USPs such as bitcoin as well as the unique Live Casino offering. The software games are well known and respected in the industry, so mix in some great player promotions and this is a winning combination.”
Lord Nelson, who appeared to be one of the only challengers to favored Firing Line in the $800,000 Sunland Derby March 22, will not be making the trip to New Mexico, trainer Bob Baffert said March 19 at Santa Anita Park.
Long after his physical presence is gone, we will still find the spirit of Allen Jerkens in the people he touched, and in the way they treat their horses because of his influence.
Lee Davy sits down with Microgaming’s Head of Poker, Alex Scott, to get his opinion on bots, RAWA, Twitch and many other things.
I must confess.
When it comes to writing about poker, I do tend to provide more coverage for the big boys.
This isn’t purposeful.
Not For Love, Maryland’s leading sire for the past 12 years, has been retired from breeding duties at Northview Stallion Station in Chesapeake City, Md.
Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack & Resort saw revenue drop nearly 12 percent during the last three months of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, as the Chester-based gambling facility faces increased competition from both Ohio and Pennsylvania.
On St. Patrick’s Day – a day associated with luck, Tony Mael of Lewiston found out he was Idaho’s first big winner on the Idaho Lottery’s new draw game “Lucky for Life.” Mael visited his local Lottery store Tuesday to check his “Lucky for Life” tickets from the night before.
The Canadian province of Alberta plans to have its new online gambling operation set up before the year is through.
Finance Minister Robin Campbell made the announcement on Wednesday at the spring convention of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties. Alberta is one of only two Canadian provinces not yet offering online gambling services through its provincial gambling monopoly, the other being Saskatchewan (which is supremely ironic, given that Saskatchewan is where a certain Calvin Ayre was born).
Alberta’s path toward online gambling is moving at breakneck speed, particularly in comparison with Ontario, which took years to bring its action online. It was only in January that the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) announced the concept was “actively under review.” By February, the AGLC had opened a tender for online gambling turnkey technology providers, who were given just a month to submit their applications.
The pace of progress isn’t sitting well with opposition politicians, who aren’t buying Campbell’s assertions that online gambling will only happen if the province “decide[s] to go that route.” The Calgary Herald quoted Liberal party leader David Swann saying the proposal “certainly hasn’t been presented to us in the legislature and presented to the public. It sounds like it is a fait accompli, which is unsettling in the least.”
Ravee Mathi Sundar has beaten Jesse Rockowitz, in heads-up action, to capture the first prize of $268,857, and prevent Taylor Paur from winning back-to-back titles at the World Poker Tour Rolling Thunder Main Event in Lincoln, California.
Ravee Mathi Sundar flew right under the radar this week, and the only time we heard the blip, he walked away with a World Poker Tour (WPT) title.
I must confess. During my recap of the recent $7,500 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Stars Main Event, I waxed lyrical about the virtues of Isaac Baron, Jacob Bazeley, Sorel Mizzi, Faraz Jaka, and the eventually winner Taylor Paur.
Do you notice something odd?