THE AMERICAS
A casino industry group in Delaware has reached out to state lawmakers for help, as they struggle to compete with nearby states. Ivey is revealed as one of 26 entities that were approved for a registration certificate to open up a medical marijuana store. 15 people have been charged with a series of felonies, with the attempted armed takeover of the Chukchansi Gold Casino. Boyd Gaming Group announce a 5.5% Q3 rise in Adjusted EBITDA to $163.9m, as Borgata benefits from casino closures in Atlantic City. One of of three men who plead guilty to money laundering claimed that Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek had a gambling debt of over $1 million while Federal Investigators look into the possibility of Thomas Vanek being targeted for extortion after his lawyer Mark Ruff said that that he was threatened with extortion if he didn’t plead guilty to his crimes. A new study indicating how the blossoming iGaming industry is affecting the people of the US will begin on January 2015. Picklive Limited, operators and supplier of fantasy sports announced a partnership with The Telegraph Media Group. Churchill Downs reported its Q3 earnings, posting revenues of $173.7M; Scientific Games reported a third-quarter net loss of $69.8M. SatoshiBet has announced that it would stop offering its service to US customers. Rafi Farber reported volumes at MGM are pushing record highs and still climbing. 888 Holdings announced that Group revenue is at an all-time high on their Q3 2014 Key Performance Indicators. Massachusetts opt to keep casino gambling. Colorado voters shut down a proposed amendment that would have permitted casinos at horse racing tracks in Arapahoe, Mesa and Pueblo counties. California voters rejected its own ballot measure that would have allowed the North Fork Rancheria Band of Mono Indians to build a Las Vegas-style casino in Fresno. The Pala Band of Mission Indians are set to become the first Indian Tribe to offer online gambling in New Jersey. Jason Kirk reports what the Republican Senate takeover means for online poker. Caesars Interactive Entertainment has been fined $10,000 the New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement. Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa announced its partnership with Pala Interactive, LLC.
EUROPE
Becky Liggero interviews MiGS 2014 organizer Jeff Buttigieg. Talal Shakerchi speaks out against the recent cost cutting initiatives by PokerStars. Betfair saw a rise in share price after unveiling minimal financial information that showed strong Q2 performance. ARJEL publish their 2014 Q3 results, as gross gaming revenues from sports betting increase by as much as 94%. Svenska Spel reports revenue decreases for the second successive quarter. Fortuna Entertainment announced steady gains in the first three quarters of 2014. Sweden operator Cherry AB announced its increased corporate revenues to SEK90 million ($12 million), an improvement of 29% to its year on year numbers.
ASIA
The Vietnam government to scrap Personal Income Tax (PIT) on earnings from casinos; Grand Ho Tram Strip eyes pilot scheme to host locals. Macau’s October gambling revenue fell 23% year on year, the fifth and the steepest drop up to date. William Hill’s service center in PH is currently under investigation over allegations of doing illegal gambling activities. Kuala Lumpur deputy police chief, Datuk Law Hoong Soon had issued an order, giving all district police chiefs and police station chiefs one month to ensure the end of all illegal gambling activities in the federal capital. Amax decided to abandon its casino plans in Northern Cyprus; Vanuatu gets six-star resort & casino; Donaco agreed to buy a significant gaming and hospitality business in the Asian nation. Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s goal of legalizing casinos in Japan is on the verge of collapsing but Takeshi Iwaya, secretary general of a legislator’s group supporting the bill said that he would ensure progress on the bill in the current parliament session. Melco Crown saw its net income for 3Q tumble 26.3% year on year to $132.2M; Studio City scheduled for mid-2015; City of Dreams soft opening in December.
