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Billionaire Sponsors Trip to Vegas for Wounded Warriors

♠ May 28th, 2008 by ♣ admin

Billionaire Sponsors Trip to Vegas for Wounded Warriors Billionaire Sponsors Trip to Vegas for Wounded Warriors –> << Back Las Vegas [Enlarge Image] By Gene Koprowski Several dozen wounded American soldiers and sailors this weekend were treated to an all-expenses-paid trip to Las Vegas, the nation's gambling capital.
The trip was timed to coincide with Memorial Day, the holiday that celebrates the contributions and sacrifices made by military veterans in the U.S.

The trip, organized by the Armed Forces Foundation, brought 40 wounded soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington and the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Maryland, to the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

Armed Forces Foundation officials said the trip was a dream distraction from the everyday life at the hospitals, where the soldiers lived while recovering from their injuries.

Kyle Riley of Catlett, Virginia, decided with his fiancée to make it their wedding weekend.
The 21-year-old Riley lost part of his left leg to an improvised explosive device (IED_ in Iraq. He plans to wed Alyssa Mergler this week on a gold and white gondola, courtesy of Sheldon Adelson, the billionaire casino mogul who runs Las Vegas Sands Corporation and paid for the trip.

The soldiers-turned-high rollers took a private plane to Las Vegas, were greeted at the airport by Wayne Newton, the famed Las Vegas entertainer and celebrity. They also hung out backstage with the actors from Blue Man Group, a performance art group, and met with Adelson, according to the billionaire’s spokesman.


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Celebrities help launch new casino in suburban New York City

♠ May 21st, 2008 by ♣ admin

Celebrities help launch new casino in suburban New York City Celebrities help launch new small house in suburban New York City –> << Back oxwoods Resort [Enlarge Image] By Gene Koprowski A bevy of Hollywood celebrities helped usher in the grand opening of the $700 million Foxwoods Casino in suburban Connecticut, near New York City.
A Connecticut native, John Mayer, now a famous musician, said while the new gambling resort had all the glitz and glamor of a regular Las Vegas casino, there was something “very familiar” about the site in Hartford.

“If you put me in a box and dropped me off here I would know I am in Connecticut,” Mayer said during Saturday’s grand opening. “There is something about Connecticut, a patina.”

The star-studded event, which benefited the Motion Picture & Television Fund, also featured the likes of actress Catherina Zeta-Jones and her husband, producer, Michael Douglas.

“This is an organization where we take care of our own,” Douglas said.

Other notable stars at the lush event were singer Sean “Diddy” Combs, TV celebrity and Paris Hilton pal, Kim Kardashian, singer Alicia Keys and model Jenny McCarthy.

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Judge gives California governor, Indian tribes’ time to make a deal

♠ May 15th, 2008 by ♣ admin

Judge gives California governor, Indian tribes’ time to make a distribute Judge gives California governor, Indian tribes’ time to make a deal –> << Back Judge [Enlarge Image] By Gene Koprowski A federal judge has delayed implementation of an order that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and a California Indian tribe reach an agreement on a gambling expansion.

U.S. Magistrate Judge William McCurine Jr. ruled on an emergency request by the governor’s lawyers, who said the state could experience “chaotic” gambling expansion if the court intervened — now. 
 
The judge determined last month that Schwarzenegger negotiated in “bad faith” with the Rincon Indian band by demanding money from slot proceeds for the state’s budget without offering something in exchange.
 
The judge also said that if the governor and the tribe don’t make a deal by July, he would appoint a mediator to pick from each side’s last, best offer.
 
The judge, however, stayed his order, and gave lawyers from each side the rest of the month to fully brief him on whether he should make the order permanent – at least until an appeal by the governor is decided.

 
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is poised to rule on the “bad faith” issue, and that puts the state in a bad bargaining position that could lead other tribes to also expand their casinos in an “uncontrolled” manner.
 
The tribe’s lawyers say there’s no good reason why negotiations can’t go forth while the case is being appealed.
 
The 650-member Indian band wants to add to its 1,600-slot Harrah’s Rincon casino to be more competitive with other tribes.
 
Those tribes have already agreed to pay a share of their profits into the state’s general fund, but Rincon’s tribal government calls those payments an illegal tax. Judge McCurine agreed.

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Kansas moving forward with new casino project

♠ May 9th, 2008 by ♣ admin

Kansas moving forward with new casino project Kansas moving forward with new casino project –> << Back Kansas [Enlarge Image] By Gene Koprowski Posted: 2008/05/07 The Lottery Commission of Kansas has approved its first contract with a developer for a casino in the state, a significant step in getting four state-owned and operated gambling facilities operating.

The commission voted Monday to approve a 15-year contract with Penn National Gaming Inc., the only applicant to operate a hotel-and casino complex in Cherokee County. The commission then passed the contract to the Kansas Lottery Gaming Facility Review Board, which will determine at its August meeting when to award the contract.
 
A law enacted last year requires a new casino project to invest at least $225 million plus pay a $25 million gambling fee within 30 days of approval.
 
Private companies will build and manage the casinos under contracts, which will be owned by the state government. Eleven other states have commercial casinos, and Kansas is now among the few with state-owned facilities.
 
The commission\’s decision comes as the gambling law is being challenged in the courts, mainly over whether the state really will own and operate the casinos. A court upheld the law in February, and the Kansas Supreme Court will hear arguments later this month.
 
The new deal calls for Penn National, of Wyomissing, Pa., to make its investment over 12 years, with $125 million invested by the time it opens in May 2010.
 
Plans for the future include a 200-room hotel, pool, spa and fitness center; a 1,750-seat convention center; and retail and gambling spaces .
 
The state will receive a total of 22 percent of the first $200 million of revenue; 25 percent between $200 million and $250 million; and 28 percent for over $250 million. Based on Penn National’s revenue projections, the state would receive almost $13 million in the small house’s first year and $22 million in its fifth year of operation.
 
Cherokee County will get 2 percent of the revenues and neighboring Crawford will get 1 percent.
 
Keith Kocher, the Lottery’s director of gaming, said that when the law was enacted, state officials assumed and intended that the entire investment be made at same time.
 
He said the contract meets legal requirements. He also disliked the lack of an environmental compliance statement signed by the parent company, although he said negotiations are continuing on that.
 
“We’ve agreed to this contract. We believe it’s legally acceptable,” he said.
 
Ed Van Petten, the Lottery’s executive director, said, “It’s a good contract.”

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Casino funding $1 million in development grants in Minnesota, Iowa

♠ May 6th, 2008 by ♣ admin

Casino funding $1 million in development grants in Minnesota, Iowa Casino funding $1 million in development grants in Minnesota, Iowa –> << Back Casino [Enlarge Image] By Gene Koprowski Posted: 2008/04/25 Most of the money, being disbursed by the Worth County Development Authority (WCDA), will benefit projects within Worth County, but almost $50,000 of it is going to organizations in surrounding communities.

A million dollars in grants funded by the Diamond Jo Casino are being disbursed to charities in Iowa and southern Minnesota. 
 
Groups in Albert Lea will receive a total of $20,000.  The majority of the money is going to the Albert Lea Family YMCA.
 
Executive Director Dennis Dieser said the Family YMCA applied for and was denied a grant from the WCDA three times in the past.  Now they’ve hit the jackpot , Dieser said. “We’re just really excited for this grant,” he added.
 

Handicapped Accessible

 Dieser said the money will help make the Family YMCA more accessible for people who have difficulty walking up stairs.  Right now, the only way to get from the parking lot to the building is taking the stairs. Now they have the monies to build a ramp for people with disabilities. “With the ramp it’s going to make it really easy for them to get in, whether they’re in a wheelchair or on crutches,” said Dieser.
 
Kim Miller, executive director of the WCDA said she’s excited to help out the Albert Lea Family YMCA.  She believes it’s important to offer grants in Minnesota, since they’re part of the reason the casino have money to give back. “A lot of the patrons are from Minnesota coming,” said Miller.
 
Dieser said Minnesotans spend a lot of money at the Diamond Jo Casino, and happy to see some of it comes back to the community in this form.
 
“This was a good means for us to collaborate and bring in some dollars to help complete this project,” said Dieser.  “We feel this is a good step in the process for continuing that and ensuring nobody is left out of any of the programs or activities we have.”
 
Dieser said he’s already making plans to start construction.  He hopes the new wheelchair ramp will be finished by June.

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Rhode Island expanding gambling hours

♠ May 6th, 2008 by ♣ admin

Rhode Island expanding gambling hours Rhode Island expanding gambling hours –> << Back Rhode Island [Enlarge Image] By Gene Koprowski Posted: 2008/05/05 Lawmakers this week voted to allow Rhode Island's two slot parlors to operate around-the-clock on weekends and holidays, a step that could raise more revenue for the state.
 
The plan will also allow Twin River in Lincoln and Newport Grand to close “as late as 3 a.m.” on weekdays.
 
Legislation passed the Senate and the House, and are now going to the governor for his signature.
 
Rhode Island faces its worst financial crisis since it bailed out banks and credit unions in the early 1990s, with a slumping economy and a $568 million budget deficit.
 
Officials at Twin River casino estimated the extra gambling hours could raise an additional $11.8 million for the state. Gaming provides about 8 percent of state income today.
 
Newport Mayor Stephen Waluk told lawmakers in February that the state should find other ways to fix its budget problems, expressing some opposition to these bills. They have passed, nonetheless.
 
Lawmakers opposed to 24/7 gambling tried, without success, to increase the state’s legal gambling age from 18 to 21 and decried video slot machines as a tax on the poor.
 
Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri (R) will not support expanded gambling if residents in Lincoln and Newport are against it, Carcieri spokesman Jeff Neal said this week. Neal would not comment on whether Carcieri would veto the bill. Last week, Carcieri told Rep. Robert Watson, the Republican minority leader, that he would veto, Watson said.

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Girlfriend tipped off police about casino heist

♠ May 6th, 2008 by ♣ admin

Girlfriend tipped off police about casino heist Girlfriend tipped off police about casino heist –> << Back acussed [Enlarge Image] By Gene Koprowski Posted: 2008/04/09 It sounds like something out of George Clooney's "Ocean's 11" movie. An ex-girlfriend provided a tip to police that her boyfriend robbed the Golden West Casino and was planning another heist, according to court records.

Details are emerging about the five Los Angeles Crips gang members arrested for trying to rob the casino last week and the armed robbery of the casino last fall.

One of those arrested, Jajuan Bell, has robbed several casinos before and was acquitted for robbery in Nevada because the casino did not want to reveal how much was stolen, according to the authorities.

The girlfriend of Bell told police that he had asked on September 12, 2007, if he could stay at her home in Palmdale, Calif., in the desert. He is the father of her child.

The next day, on Sept. 13, The Golden West Casino was robbed when suspects armed with guns assailed the casino. The suspects stole about $60,000 in cash.

Bell and his collaborators were at his girlfriend’s home, counting money .  Bell gave her $2,500, and a cell phone he had stolen from the casino.

The girlfriend dialed the cell phone and learned the Golden West Casino was robbed. She then called the casino and talked to detectives there.

The girlfriend also provided detectives with Bell’s phone numbers.

Detectives wiretapped Bell and several suspects’ phones and overheard them talking about robbing the Golden West Casino.

On March 31, deputies thwarted the five suspects from robbing the casino by using spike strips on the highway, near the casino. Deputies seized an AK-47 and 12-gauge shotguns from the suspects’ vehicle.

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Harrah’s Horseshoe casino finishing $500 million expansion

♠ May 6th, 2008 by ♣ admin

Harrah’s Horseshoe casino finishing $500 million expansion Harrah’s Horseshoe casino finishing $500 million expansion –> << Back Harrah's [Enlarge Image] By Gene Koprowski Dramatic changes to the shoreline of Hammond, Ind., are already appearing, brought about by the $485 million expansion of the Horseshoe casino. A revitalized Hammond Marina will open May 1.

Construction of a new casino is progressing ahead of schedule with the opening expected in late summer instead of early fall, according to Rick Mazer, Indiana regional president and general manager of Horseshoe Casino, Hammond.

The Horseshoe project includes construction of new gaming rooms, new restaurants and a new theater designed to draw Las Vegas-style entertainment to the facility. “The design is comparable to any of the finest casinos in Las Vegas ,” Mazer said.
When the expanded casino opens, Mazer said he expects the full-time payroll to jump from around “2,300 employees to 2,700.”
There are other, noticeable changes too. All the old chips are being replaced, and a timeline for redemption of existing chips is being established. Gaming equipment also will have to be moved.

Mayor Tom McDermott said this major construction project represents a “significant commitment” by Harrah’s Corp . to the city of Hammond. “It was a difficult decision to shut down the marina for a year, I’m not going to lie,” McDermott said. “But improvements at the marina will help bring back its loyal users.”
Milan Kruzynski, director of the Port Authority, said that themarina is about 17 years old. “This gave us an opportunity to update everything,” Kruzynski said.

The Horseshoe construction caused the marina to reconfigure all the docking slips. Two years ago, there were 982 slips, and this year. Part of the marina area is still tied up with construction, and there will be 692 slips. But, the final slip count will be around 900 in 2009 when all work is completed.

The marina will also offer day rental of small slips for personal watercraft often used by boat owners. He said this was done as a convenience for boaters, who often don’t have a place to dock their smaller craft near their boat slip.
As part of the construction project the harbor was dredged and that sand was used to replenish Lakefront Beach. “It rivals the beach at the dunes,” he said.

McDermott said the improvements at the marina and the casino will be an economic boon to the local community.
The 200 to 300 additional full-time jobs that will be added at the casino will help the local economy. McDermott said Horseshoe has been employed local residents.

The investment will also increase the assessed value and lower the tax rate in the city.
McDermott said the location as the first casino in Indiana nearest Chicago has been helpful and he expects the new casino to be an even bigger draw.  “There’s going to be a lot more visitors to the Hammond marina,” McDermott said.



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Atlantic City considers total smoking ban in casinos

♠ May 6th, 2008 by ♣ admin

Atlantic City considers total smoking ban in casinos Atlantic City considers total smoking ban in casinos –> << Back smoking [Enlarge Image] By Gene Koprowski A controversial proposal to completely ban smoking in Atlantic City is being considered by the health-conscious city council -- and if passed, would be the first total smoking in ban for all casino floors here in the seaside resort's history.

Four council members are co-sponsors of the measure, and only one more member is needed to pass the law. There are nine members of the city council overall.

The full smoking ban arrives on the first anniversary of the partial smoking ban which took effect April 15, 2007. That limited smoking to 25 percent of the casino floors .

The one-year old law required the 11 casinos to build enclosed smoking structures on their properties, but. thus far, not one of the Atlantic City casinos has built them, according to the state Department of Commmunity Affairs.

Savvy casino operators have said they were waiting to see if a full ban on smoking eventually would be taken up by City Council before committing “millions of dollars” to building the enclosures.

City officials say what they want are smoking lounges that would be just like those found in airports.

A total ban on smoking would apply to casinos that do not build the lounges.

Some casino worker groups have aligned with non-profit health organizations to back the smoking ban.

“The state is continuing to discriminate against us, and we are depending on the City Council to live up to its integrity and obligation of protecting the health, welfare and safety of its citizens,” said Nate Chait, a long-time casino employee who works as a table games

Casino operators have argued many of their patrons smoke and that a full ban on smoking would lead to a further erosion of gaming revenue and profit.

Andrew Zarnett, a gambling industry analyst with Deutsche Bank AG in New York, wrote in a note to investors earlier this month that a full smoking ban “would have a detrimental effect on Atlantic City revenues as visitations decline in the short term.”

Zarnett blamed a recently enacted full smoking ban in Illinois and a weak national economy for a drop in revenue last month for Illinois casinos.

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New casino construction plan on target in Iowa

♠ May 6th, 2008 by ♣ admin

New casino construction plan on target in Iowa New casino construction plan attached target in Iowa –> << Back plan [Enlarge Image] By Gene Koprowski Posted: 2008/04/07 The Wild Rose Casino and Resort -- a new hotel and casino being built in Iowa -- is on schedule to open this summer. Eight weeks hence, the casino should be completely up and running,
…and will, as scheduled, replace the Mississippi Belle II riverboat casino, currently dry-docked in Clinton, Iowa.

Wild Rose spokeswoman Maureen Roushar said the casino will feature “28,000 square feet of gaming area , including 600 slot machines.” The casino also will include a buffet area large enough to seat 250 to 280 people and “a sports bar with televisions in every booth.”

The casino will feature a thousand seat conference room that can be divided into six smaller rooms, and a 60-room hotel.

Roushar said the casino also will have a store stocked with products made in Iowa and will be decorated with photos of Clinton.

Construction manager Brady Jones of FoxCor said this past winter’s snow and cold created delays, but by bringing in extra workers and paying some overtime, the project still is on schedule to be done in July.

Jones said the snow and cold temperatures made it difficult to put a roof on the casino and forced workers to thaw out the concrete after it had frozen a few times.

Marty Bintner, a superintendent for general contractor Regency Commercial Construction, said about 100 workers are assigned to the project.

Workers in the casino last week began to install flooring. Workers also painted the stairwells, and bathroom countertops.

The ole Mississippi Belle II will be sold, this summer, to Celebration Cruises in Moline and will be remodeled for use as a dinner cruise boat.

The new casino is expected to bring in 750,000 visitors per year. Roushar said the Mississippi Belle II brings in 500,000 visitors per year.

There is still much work to do, but much of the work in the last six to eight weeks of the project will go by quickly.

Wild Rose General Manager Tim Bollmann said the casino’s employees “are excited to move” into the new facility.

“I’m right there with them,” he said. “I want to get off the river before it floods.”

*Wild Rose Casino and Resort*
*Location:* Mill Creek Parkway and U.S. 30, Clinton, Iowa.

*Cost:* $30 million to $32 million.

*Developer:* Valley Bluff Development Corp.

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