Talking of optimism behind federal online poker, Republican Mary Bono Mack has announced she’s to chair a second hearing on the subject this Friday. “Internet Gaming: Regulating in an Online World” will look at how consumer and stakeholders will be affected by legislative changes. Bono Mack was cautious after the first hearing of rushing ahead with legislation and has called the second hearing so that all potential ramifications are covered. A witness list will be announced in the next few days.
Foxwoods are aiming to launch a free-play site in the near future and if it’s as woeful as their slot revenue, the company is in trouble. Figures for September were bad. October has made the outlook even bleaker. Slot revenue was down 11.2% to $50.9m compared with last year as the handle suffered the same fate as it dropped 14.4% to $596.8m. Don’t worry as CEO Scott C. Butera had the excuses at the ready: “The snowstorm that paralyzed the northeast cut into our business at the end of the month.” What happens when freak weather events aren’t there to save the day is anyone’s guess.