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Pennsylvania Becomes Fourth U.S. State to Allow Online Gambling
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today passed a bill to legalize online casinos and poker in a 109-72 vote, which passed the Senate yesterday. Now H 271 is waiting for Gov. Tom Wolf to sign. This makes Pennsylvania the fourth state in favor of online gambling.
The long bill contains provisions for daily fantasy sports, sports betting, online slot machines, table games, poker, and lottery merchandise. It also allows video game terminals at certain truck stops, tablet games at airports, and up to 10 satellite casinos. 슬롯머신
Because online slot machines will be charged a 54 percent tax rate, many people may think the rate at which they feel steep is moving forward. In New Jersey, by comparison, a 17.5 percent tax rate will apply to online slots. A 16 percent tax rate will apply to online table games and online poker in Pennsylvania.
The H 271 allows operators to purchase separate licenses for online slots, for house bank games, and for online poker. If a purchase is made within the first 90 days of the license being made, existing casino operators can purchase a full three vertical lines license for $10 million. Each license costs $4 million.
Gameco launches 'Terminator 2' VGM
GameCo Inc. today announced that it will develop three casino games for video game gambling machines (VGMs) based on the iconic science fiction film Terminator 2: Judgment Day (T2) with a license from StudioCanal S.A.S.
GameCo's exclusive VGM is an arcade-style cabinet that features a 45-90 second video game by a single player, adapted from top consoles, PCs, and mobile games. The first game was planned as a first-person action game in which players take on the role of a reprogrammed T-800 with a mission to help human resistance by exterminating the opposing terminator. The deal was brokered by Creative Licensing and is expected to debut in the casino in early 2017.
"It's exciting to introduce our famous movie titles to fans and casino players in an attractive and interactive format," said Rand Malis, president and CEO of Creative Licensing. "GameCo's VGM brings movies to life with an updated arcade format, so players can have fun as an opportunity to make big money."
GameCo recently launched at all three of its properties, Caesars Entertainment, in Atlantic City and Tropicana Atlantic City Casino & Resort, making it the world's first skill-based gaming company to showcase its products to the casino floor. GameCo is currently running major launches nationwide, with plans to operate in most major U.S. gambling jurisdictions by the end of 2017. 바다이야기
"T2 is a world-famous classic film known for its action, visual effects, and memorable characters, so it's great for the fast experiences we want to bring to casinos around the world," said Rich Maryanek, head of global business development at GameCo. "We're excited to partner with StudioCanal and CLC to bring the Terminator 2 brand into the video game gambling machine," he added.
GameCo's VGM offers an innovative new way to adapt popular licensed properties to casino environments beyond the format of existing slot machines. Video game gambling offers a unique opportunity to combine immersion and interactivity in video games with powerful characters, stories, and narratives of popular movie and TV attributes. Gamers can become terminators who play and experience the story world.
Boyd Gaming, Harrah's Complete Mergers
Boyd Gaming Corp. and Harrah's Entertainment completed separate mergers on July 1, 2004, worth a total of $2.7 billion.
Boyd Gaming closed the $1.3 billion deal with Coast Casinos, creating the fifth-largest gambling operator in the country, while Harrah's Entertainment cemented its $1.45 billion merger with Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corp.
Harrah's now becomes the largest casino operator in the country with combined revenues of $5.1 billion. But it could quickly lose that title if regulators approve a pending merger between MGM Mirage Inc. and Mandalay Resort Group Inc.
The Boyd Gaming merger will create a powerhouse company in Las Vegas that will cater to area residents, Chairman William S. Boyd said Thursday.
"This brings us to a totally new level as one of the two major companies serving the dynamic and growing Las Vegas locals market," Boyd said in a prepared statement, referring to rival Station Casinos Inc.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Coast will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Boyd Gaming. Michael Gaughan will remain Coast's chief executive and become Boyd's second-largest shareholder.
"We built a great company and now we are joining a great company," Gaughan said.
Boyd said Gaughan's agreement to stay on in a management role was critical to the deal. 릴게임
The two companies signed the merger agreement February 6 and obtained approval from gambling regulators last month. The Coast brand will remain intact and all company management will be retained.
The combined companies will keep the Boyd Gaming name and will have revenues of about $2 billion, operating 18 properties with 10,000 rooms nationwide.
The Federal Trade Commission voted last month to close its investigation into the pending acquisition of Horseshoe Gaming by Harrah's, clearing the way for final regulatory approval of the deal.
The transaction also has been approved by regulators in Indiana, Mississippi and Louisiana.
Horseshoe Gaming operated riverboat casinos in Hammond, Ind., Tunica, Miss. and Bossier City, La. Harrah's operates 22 casinos in the United States, including Nevada, New Jersey, Louisiana. The company is Nevada's second-largest employer with 42,000 workers.
Live! Casino & Hotel Flagship Hotel Opens
The Kodish Company and Live! Casino & Hotel announced last week that the classic Luxury Live! hotel was officially opened to the public and added 310 new overnight rooms, two new restaurants, an event center, and a spa to Maryland's top tourist attractions. The first hotel to own the famous Live! brand, Live! Hotel, opened as a Live! hotel. The casino celebrates its sixth anniversary as one of the largest commercial casinos on the East Coast. With its opening, Live! Casino & Hotel has established itself as an excellent multi-game destination with world-class amenities and a reputation for improvisation and fun. Guests can make reservations online or by calling (443) 445-2929.
Live! Casino & Hotel will hold its Grand Opening Celebration on July 11, 2018. 310-room Luxury Live! Hotel's celebration will feature luxurious red carpets, celebrity guests, colorful entertainment, and more. 릴게임
"Live! Hotel is now officially open and ready to surprise guests with an all-inclusive experience from world-class spas and world-inspired cuisines to great success while enjoying luxury accommodations," said David Cordish, president of The Cordish Company. "The combination of gaming, entertainment, dining, retail, and great customer service is incomparable to anywhere else in the region. We're at the finish line, but the celebrations are just getting started."
Sands executives in hostile territory at iGaming Conference
Admittedly, during the opening session of the iGaming North America Conference at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino on Wednesday, Las Vegas Sands Vice President Andy Aberwood was in unfavorable territory.
Aberwood has been at the forefront of Las Vegas Sands' war over the past few months against legalizing internet gaming. Aberwood has called for a federal ban on internet gaming, and has organized a coalition to fight legislation in favor of playing online games on a state-by-state basis.
As he sits on stage for 45 minutes to discuss the matter with Caesars Interactive Entertainment CEO Mitch Garber, Abbywood looked like Daniel in a lion's den, said Steve Lipscomb, the debate host who founded the World Poker Tour.
"Our position is clear and specific," Abboud said, "and we're not fans of online gaming."
He said the federal wire law, which banned online wearing, should be reinstated.
But Aberwood made remarks that seemed to throw an olive branch to the audience, saying that if there was any basis for supporting the legalization of online poker, Congress should pass an Internet poker bill supported by Republican Joe Barton.
"Polls after our poll show that the American public doesn't like this," Abboud said.
Garber's company, an affiliate of Caesars Entertainment, said Aberwood's position on the Barton bill was different from that of her boss, Sheldon Adelson, chairman of Las Vegas Sands.
"Unfortunately, your position is not Sheldon's consistent position of 'iGaming is bad, and I'm going to spend as much money as I need to get it done,'" Garber said.
He also disagreed with the poll results cited by Aberwood that Las Vegas Sands bought and paid for the poll in the same way that tobacco companies paid for it decades ago, which showed that cigarettes do not cause cancer.
"I don't think there's any controversy (about online games)," Garber said, "and I bet people are free to choose more."
Ten states are considering potential legislation to expand or legalize internet game forms.
Garber said Adelson is deeply thoughtful about the issue. He said companies like Caesars Interactive, Ultimate Gaming, 888 Holdings and others have received strict licenses and are in compliance with strict regulations set by the state gaming authority.
"I've been doing this for 20 years," Garber said, "and you're hypocritical not to take the time to ask questions about what we're doing."
Aberwood said Caesars isn't worried about Las Vegas Sands. He said illegal offshore online game companies still used by U.S. gamblers are taking business away from legal game operations and traditional offline casinos.
"I don't want this to be Las Vegas Sands vs Caesars," Abbywood said. "But we need to shut down illegal operators. I don't deny your company is committed. But you put your buildings in danger if something happens."
He also said it was unfair to single out Adelson for spending money on the matter. Hedge fund billionaire George Soros is an investor in Caesars Growth Partners, which is overseen by Garber. 바다이야기
"We have no position to compromise," said Aberwood, "everyone has facts and money. I have Sheldon and Mitch has George Soros. Money is on both sides."
Caesars and other casino companies have created their own associations to support Internet gambling.
Mr. Garber said the technology used to run Caesars' internet games is more sophisticated than human interaction inside conventional casinos. He said Caesars can identify anyone who logs into a site, track every dollar paid, and track play history.
Garber said, "I have no idea where the money is coming from at the Macau casino."
Abboud appealed to iGaming's audience, saying that small casinos and Indian casinos would "go down" if online gaming spread across the U.S.
"There's no reason to worry about Mitch's company, which is well-intentioned," Aberwood said, "and I worry about bad actors."
Garber said Caesars is catering to "the next generation of casino customers" through online gaming.
"It's proven to be effective for us," Garber said.
