Monthly Archives: June 2015

Billionaire backs GOP presidential hopeful who would ban some of his business

Ronald O. Perelman,left, chairman of Scientific Games, talks to Barry F. Schwartz, Scientific Games executive vice chairman, during the Nevada Gaming Control Board hearing on the company’s buyout of Bally Technologies on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 at the Grant Sawyer Building, 555 E Washington Ave. Ronald O. Perelman,left, chairman of Scientific Games, talks to gaming attorney Frank Schreck during the Nevada Gaming Control Board hearing on the company’s buyout of Bally Technologies on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014 at the Grant Sawyer Building, 555 E Washington Ave. Billionaire Ronald Perelman, who is the chairman and largest stockholder of lottery and slot machine giant Scientific Games Corp., plans to support the presidential bid of South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham , despite the Republican candidate’s backing of legislation that would ban Internet gambling.

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Wagering Up Sharply at Belmont Festival

The first two days of the inaugural Belmont Stakes Racing Festival showed sharp increases in on-track and all-sources wagering over the same two days in 2014, the New York Racing Association announced June 5.

Sherman to Receive TOC Industry Service Award

Trainer Art Sherman has been selected by the Thoroughbred Owners of California to receive the 2014 Ed Friendly Industry Service Award.

Field Taking Shape for Stephen Foster

It’s back to the main track for Gallant Stables’ Majestic Harbor, who will bid to return to the winner’s circle June 13 in the $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.

Humble Plumber Wins $136 Million Lottery, Still Wants To Continue Working

A Staten Island plumber who won a $136 million Powerball jackpot said Thursday he wants to keep working – but also plans to “relax a little more.” A friend had told him where the winning ticket had been purchased, but she thought a teacher had won.

Take Charge Brandi Nearly Ready to Breeze

As last year’s 2-year-old champion male American Pharoah prepares to bid for the Triple Crown June 6 at Belmont Park, the 2-year-old champion filly of 2014 is nearly ready to breeze again.

Cocked and Loaded Fires in Tremont

Cocked and Loaded rapidly closed ground through the final furlong and was up late to best game front-runner Paynes Prairie by a half length in the $250,000 Tremont Stakes for 2-year-olds June 5 at Belmont Park.

Waltzing Matilda Stuns Field in New York

Mrs. Paul Shanahan’s Waltzing Matilda provided quite a shock in the $300,000 New York Stakes (gr. IIT) June 5, taking the 1 1/2-mile turf event at Belmont Park at odds of 22-1 in her U.S. debut.

AR Gov. Declares 'American Pharoah Day'

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed a proclamation June 5 declaring Saturday, June 6, “American Pharoah Day” throughout the entire state.

Innovation Economy Wins Belmont Gold Cup

Despite a slow start, Innovation Economy became a stakes winner when he reeled in favored Unitarian to take the $250,000 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational June 5 at Belmont Park.

Dutch gaming regulator inks deal with media to limit illegal online gambling ads

The Netherlands’ gaming regulator has reached a deal with Dutch media outlets to reduce the spread of illegal online gambling advertising.

On Thursday, the Kansspelautoriteit (KSA) announced it had signed an agreement with the country’s leading media parties to “protect Dutch consumers” from the alleged dangers of operators not holding a Dutch gaming license. The original eight signatories to the new covenant include print, radio, television and online sources, and the KSA hopes to add more names in the near future.

At present, no online gambling advertisements are officially sanctioned by the KSA. Dutch parliamentarians are still putting the finishing touches on the country’s new Remote Gaming Bill, which will officially regulate the country’s online market for the first time.

Last month, Dutch land-based gaming trade association Euromat filed a formal complaint with the European Commission over the Remote Gaming Bill’s proposed online tax rate. As written, Dutch-licensed online operators will pay 20% of gross gaming revenue versus the 29% paid by the country’s land-based operators.

Federal report worries about oversight, potential mismanagement, corruption at Indian casinos

A new federal report voices concerns about the oversight and management of the $28 billion Indian gaming industry in the U.S. That includes whether the National Indian Gaming Commission is effectively getting sovereign tribes to go along with federal guidance rules and avoiding problems such as mismanagement, nepotism, money laundering and … (more)

Josh Sutton wins 3,000th career race

Josh Sutton won the 3,000th race of his career when he drove QB Killa to a 1:52.3 victory in the 10th race on Thursday at Scioto Downs. The 33-year-old Sutton won his first race back in 2000.

Rock Fall Keeps Streak Alive in True North

Rock Fall earned his fifth straight victory and first graded stakes win June 5, taking the $250,000 True North Stakes (gr. II) by 3 3/4 lengths at Belmont Park.

'Chrome' Among Arlington Million Nominees

U.S. Horse of the Year California Chrome is among 78 nominations for the Arlington Million (gr. IT), the centerpiece of the International Festival of Racing Aug. 15 at Arlington International Racecourse

NYRA Reports Nearly All Belmont Tickets Sold

The New York Racing Association said nearly all tickets for the Saturday, June 6 running of the Belmont Stakes have been sold out, with a few thousand general admission tickets remaining as of 3:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, June 5.

Wynn Resorts shares leap on rumors of merger with MGM Resorts

Are US casino operators Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts International talking merger?

Wynn shares shot up over 7% on Thursday while trading volume more than doubled after CNBC analyst and professional shouter Jim Cramer mentioned the possibility of a tie-up between the two firms. Neither company has offered any public comment on Cramer’s rumor report.

Wynn has been on the outs lately, losing $44m in the first quarter of 2015 as Macau’s casino market continues to struggle and Wynn’s Las Vegas properties struggled to make up the difference. Last month, Wynn’s largest stockholder, mutual fund outfit T. Rowe Price Group, sold off more than 40% of its stake in the casino operator.

The merger rumor was a hot topic at Thursday’s annual general meeting of Wynn rival Las Vegas Sands, during which an investor asked Sands boss Sheldon Adelson if the company had ever considered making a play for Wynn Resorts. Adelson replied that Sands and its investment bankers “have considered all possibilities” although he cautioned that the team hadn’t reached any conclusions.

China deal 'pivotal point' for Shoutz, CEO says

The Austin company signed the pact with China Netcom Technology Holdings Ltd. to implement Shoutz’s loyalty platform and launch a video lottery program in two Chinese provinces during the fourth quarter. The startup will share equally in all profits and launch a televised lottery game show, said CEO Jim Mueller .

TTA to Honor Kieffer, Two Others

The Texas Thoroughbred Association will honor three horsemen with the T.I. “Pops” Harkins Award for lifetime achievement during its annual meeting and awards banquet June 20 at Lone Star Park.

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