News: Seneca Nation president: Casino compact talks progressing

News

Seneca Nation president: Casino compact talks progressing

So what's the latest on negotiations over a new gaming compact between the state of New York and the Seneca Nation of Indians?

During a recent interview with the Niagara Gazette, Seneca Nation President Rickey Armstrong Sr. said, from his point of view, talks are progressing.

Armstrong said representatives from the Nation continue to meet regularly with state officials and he remains hopeful that a tentative deal will be in place for review by the federal government by the summer of 2023.

"We've made every effort to make progress," Armstrong said.

"We want to continue to work toward a new gaming compact that reflects the gaming landscape in Buffalo, Niagara Falls," he added.

The current gaming compact, which provides the Seneca Nation with exclusive rights to operate Class III casinos in Western New York, including Niagara Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca, is set to expire in December 2023.

Seneca officials have argued in the past that since the signing of the original compact, other gaming outlets, including so-called "racinos" in Hamburg and Batavia, cut into their exclusivity by offering video lottery terminals similar to slot machines.

Armstrong said the Nation has been working on its end of the proposed agreement for about two years and that he's confident the Nation has "covered all of our bases."

He maintains that the Seneca Gaming Corp.'s three local casinos have provided economic benefit to host communities like the Falls and Buffalo, in the form of jobs and spinoff from investments made by the companies with local vendors.

In addition, the compact has allowed the state of New York to collect a percentage of slot machine revenues from Seneca casinos, with 25% of those dollars being distributed to the Falls, Buffalo and Salamanca.

"I'm hopeful that the state recognizes the impact we've had on Western New York," Armstrong said.

In a statement in response to a request for comment, a spokesperson for Gov. Kathy Hochul's office said the executive chamber and the state gaming commission have been having "substantive negotiations" with the Seneca Nation for months.

"We are fully committed to continuing to meet, discuss, and negotiate a compact, and we are confident that the process will continue in a way that best serves New Yorkers," the spokesperson said.

Media Man Gaming Blog: Gaming Directory

Gaming Directory

Media Man Gaming Blog: 5 Keys To Online Success

Media Man Gaming Blog 

5 Keys To Online Success

It is being more commonly understood that the dot.com bust of 2000 was more the result of bad business models and execution than of some intrinsic fault within the Internet. Many businesses with models appropriate to the Internet are alive and thriving.

Perhaps you’re wondering if your own business has what it takes to be successful on the Web? While every situation is different, experts have noted that successful online businesses possess a number of common characteristics. Let’s take a look at five key characteristics that they share.

1. Management possessed a “Net” awareness.

Dun and Bradstreet’s 20th Annual Small business Survey reports that two-thirds of today’s small businesses have Internet access, and approximately 50 percent of those also have a Website. And more than 60 percent of those with Internet access plan to increase their use of the Internet in coming months.

As business owners and decision-makers, you will most certainly benefit by spending time online learning about the Internet. Look at how your competitors and industry are using it, try to discern where your markets potentially hang out, and ask lots of questions.

2. They had an organized plan.

Do you remember the story Alice in Wonderland and the Cheshire cat? One day Alice came to a fork in the road. Looking around, she saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. “Which road should I take?” she asked. “Where do you want to go?” the cat replied. “I don’t know,” Alice answered. “In that case,” the cat said, “it doesn’t matter which road you take.”

Once you have gotten familiar with the Internet and its potential for your marketing, create a written plan of action. Simply putting your ideas down on paper will help focus your thoughts. Set goals and identify how you can get there.

How important is it to have a plan, or better yet, a written business plan? The Small Business Administration says that most successful companies started with a detailed business plan and those that didn’t plan were far more likely to fail.

3. Successful ventures implemented their creative ideas and then learned from what worked and what didn’t.

Kraft Foods is the largest branded food and beverage company in North America, and the second largest worldwide. Paula Sneed, one of their vice presidents, was a keynote speaker at an Economist Conference. She boiled down the basis for their success down to three simple “ingredients” which I believe are also important to all businesses, no matter what size.

Make smart bets. Kraft identified initiatives that build brand, increase customer loyalty, or cut costs.

Move fast. Once identified, they implemented their initiatives. I think one of the most notable things Sneed said was, “If we’re going to fail let’s fail fast and fail cheap.”

Make course corrections. Kraft expected both success and failure. They made mid-course corrections based on early feedback to improve the likelihood of success. Even failures provided good market feedback they could use for future initiatives.

4. Successful Web ventures did targeted marketing.

As a marketing consultant I find that many small businesses have great difficulty identifying their choice markets. I can’t tell you how many times I ask entrepreneurs what their target markets are, only to be told, “everyone.”

But targeting your marketing to “everyone” doesn’t make sense. Targeting means identifying those potential customers who represent the best prospects for sales and focusing your marketing efforts on them. This is simply the old 80/20 rule (that 80% of your sales come from 20% of your customers) in practice.

In fact, finding a niche and working to serve its unmet needs is one of the best uses for the Web. Why? Because the Web isn’t really a mass marketing tool, as some would believe. It’s actually a supreme targeted marketing tool.

5. They combined online and offline marketing.

I always hear people making either/or kinds of comments about offline versus online advertising. But successful companies recognized that online and offline advertising are synergistic. They support and amplify one another.

Here are two simple examples. First, including your website URL in all your offline advertising messages (yellow pages, magazine ads, circulars etc) will bring traffic to your website. Second, a signup form on your website that you use to send prospects your standard marketing printed materials (brochures, sales materials etc).

While these five Keys do not guarantee online success, including them in your business will certainly improve your chances for success.

Media Man Gaming Blog: Caesars the Latest to be Awarded Mass Sports Betting License

Caesars the Latest to be Awarded Mass Sports Betting License

State regulators in Massachusetts approved Caesars to operate a sports betting website in the commonwealth.  They become the third casino company granted a license after Wynn and MGM.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted unanimously to allow Caesars following a grueling review of MGM Springfield's tie-in with a third party vendor that runs its mobile site BetMGM.  Commissioners delayed a decision on the sports betting license application from Plainridge Park Casino due to concerns over ties with Barstool Sports and its controversial founder, Dave Portnoy.

BetMGM was approved for a license one day prior to acknowledging a breach of customer accounts occurring some time in May of this year.  BetMGM parent company, Entain, had been handed down a record fine by UK regulators for failure to implement money laundering safeguards over the summer. 

Caesars already has a foothold in a number of U.S. states including Louisiana.  We had an opportunity this past week to visit their sprawling sportsbook in Harrah's New Orleans.

Caesars Louisiana sportsbooks are making a name for themselves for their willingness to accept huge million dollar bets from Houston area furniture mogul Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale.

Media Man Gaming Blog: Florida-based Hard Rock International now running iconic Mirage resort in Las Vegas

Florida-based Hard Rock International now running iconic Mirage resort in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS - A new operator, Hard Rock International, started running the iconic Mirage resort on the Las Vegas Strip on Monday, following Nevada state gambling regulatory approval for a nearly $1.1 billion sale by former site owner MGM Resorts International, the companies said.

Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe, said it plans to reshape the property at the center of the glittery Las Vegas Boulevard casino corridor by replacing its volcano attraction with a huge guitar-shaped hotel tower.

Company Chairman Jim Allen said in a statement that the property's 3,500 employees were absorbed Monday into Hard Rock's 45,000-member workforce. The company has cafes, hotels, casinos and concert properties around the world.

"We are excited to create an integrated resort on the Strip that will make this legendary entertainment community proud," Allen said. The statement specified there were no immediate plans to close The Mirage or lay off employees.

Hard Rock and MGM Resorts announced plans for the operational takeover a year ago. The deal became official following Nevada Gaming Commission approval at a special meeting Friday.

"We're thrilled to welcome Hard Rock to the neighborhood and wish them all the very best," Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and president of casino giant MGM Resorts International said in a statement.

The more than 3,000-room hotel on 80 acres becomes the first on the Las Vegas Strip to be run by a Native American tribe.

East of the Strip, the Connecticut-based Mohegan Tribe operates a casino that opened in 2021 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas after that property - named Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - was purchased in 2018, renovated and rebranded by Virgin.

West of the Strip, an affiliate of the California-based San Manuel Band of Mission Indians owns and operates The Palms.

Seminole-owned Hard Rock International had no previous involvement with the former Hard Rock Hotel & Casino that operated from 1995 to 2020. It bought licensing and naming rights in May 2020. The Mirage redevelopment plan is projected to run through 2023. Costs have not been disclosed.

Daily operations "are set to continue under The Mirage brand for the foreseeable future, and all room reservations and group bookings will be honored with no action required by guests or group organizers," the company said.

"The process ... ultimately will dramatically reimagine every aspect of the resort and change the Las Vegas skyline with the addition of a guitar-shaped hotel tower," the company promised.

Hard Rock International also entered into a long-term lease agreement with VICI Properties Inc., a real estate investment trust that acquired MGM Resorts properties this year in a $17.2 billion deal with MGM Growth Properties, a publicly traded landowner of holdings in eight states. New York-based VICI owns properties and leases them back to hospitality and entertainment operators.

The sale marks the end of an era for a Polynesian-themed property built by former casino mogul Steve Wynn and credited with helping transform Las Vegas from a gambling hub into an ultra-luxury resort destination with broader appeal.

It opened in November 1989, with a sidewalk-side volcano spewing fire years before gondoliers began plying canals at the Venetian and fountains started dancing at the Bellagio. For years The Mirage hosted Siegfried & Roy taming white tigers. It remains home to a Cirque du Soleil show set to a Beatles soundtrack.

The change-of-hands is one of several involving well-known properties on Las Vegas Boulevard. Rhode Island-based Bally's Corp. completed its acquisition in September of the Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. Bally's Corp. does not own Bally's Las Vegas on the Strip.

Caesars Entertainment Inc., which owns Bally's Las Vegas, is rebranding the 2,800-room property as the Horseshoe Las Vegas. That draws on a name made famous at a downtown gambling hall that hosted the first World Series of Poker.

Media Man Gaming Blog: Wynn Resorts completes sale and leaseback of Encore Boston Harbor

Wynn Resorts completes sale and leaseback of Encore Boston Harbor

Massachusetts (Boston Harbor) - Wynn Resorts December 1 completed a deal for the sale of Encore Boston Harbor’s land and real estate assets to Realty Income Corporation. The $1.7 billion cash sale represents a 5.9% cash cap rate with all necessary regulatory approvals finalized. Net proceeds of the sale result in Wynn’s global liquidity position of $4.4 billion. Wynn Resorts will continue to operate Encore Boston Harbor through a triple net lease arrangement with Realty Income. The lease has an initial annual rent of $100 million for a term of 30 years, with one 30-year renewal option.

Media Man Gaming Blog - Casino News Media Blog: Casino, Gaming, Sports, Pop Culture and Business News Update - December 2022

Media Man Gaming Blog - Casino News Media Blog: Casino, Gaming, Sports, Pop Culture and Business News Update - December 2022

Bristol casino to break ground

Virginia (Bristol) - Courtney Mabeus, Virginia Business - Virginia’s first casino, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, is getting closer to moving into its permanent home.

Officials will break ground at the casino’s permanent home at the former Bristol Mall, at 500 Gate City Highway in Bristol on Dec. 7, the casino announced Thursday… Expected to open July 2024.

Wynn Resorts completes sale and leaseback of Encore Boston Harbor

Massachusetts (Boston Harbor) - Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports - Wynn Resorts December 1 completed a deal for the sale of Encore Boston Harbor’s land and real estate assets to Realty Income Corporation. The $1.7 billion cash sale represents a 5.9% cash cap rate with all necessary regulatory approvals finalized. Net proceeds of the sale result in Wynn’s global liquidity position of $4.4 billion. Wynn Resorts will continue to operate Encore Boston Harbor through a triple net lease arrangement with Realty Income. The lease has an initial annual rent of $100 million for a term of 30 years, with one 30-year renewal option.

Diplomatic row brewing over latest arrest of protest leader

Asia (Cambodia) - Inside Asian Gaming - Cambodian officials have defended the arrest of NagaWorld unionist Chhim Sithar among pressure from both local and international labor rights and foreign affairs groups, including the US Department of State. Sithar, who has led a series of protests outside the Phnom Penh integrated resort over its decision to lay off 373 workers late last year, was arrested at Phnom Penh International Airport and placed in pre-trial detention last Saturday after returning from a 12-day trip to Australia.

Resorts World revamps cashless wagering

Nevada (Las Vegas) - McKenna Ross, Review-Journal - After a hindered rollout in 2021 that prompted regulatory changes, Resorts World and digital payments provider Sightline Payments relaunched its cashless technology solution Wednesday and it includes more functionality and seamless technology. Players at the Strip hotel-casino will now be able to confirm their identity remotely, enroll in loyalty programs and payments and use biometric authentication such as face ID and fingerprint technology.

Self-service Tesla rental firm launches in Las Vegas

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Sean Hemmersmeier, Review-Journal - Las Vegans and tourists alike will have a new electric car rental option on the Strip that won’t require interacting with agents. UFODrive, a Europe-based car rental company that only offers electric vehicles, launched its operations Thursday on the fifth floor of Showcase mall’s parking garage on the Strip. The company will not have staff in Las Vegas and customers will be directed to handle every part of the rental experience through its mobile app, said Aidan McClean, CEO of UFODrive.

Strip resident Miranda Lambert takes pride in her music and her platform

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Brock Radke, The Weekly - It’s been one big week after another for Miranda Lambert. Just before making a return to her Velvet Rodeo residency show on the Las Vegas Strip, the 39-year-old singer and songwriter was nominated for four Grammys, one in each country music category. Now she gets to celebrate with six concerts at Planet Hollywood’s Zappos Theater during National Finals Rodeo week. “I’m super-excited about it, because those are my people,” Lambert tells the Weekly.

Garth Brooks signs on for 2024 at Caesars Palace

Nevada (Las Vegas) - John Katsilometes, Review-Journal - It’s Brooks in ’24 on the Strip. Responding to high ticket demand for his 2023 shows at the Colosseum, Garth Brooks has confirmed he will perform in 2024 at Caesars Palace. He has added one year to “Garth Brooks/Plus ONE,” with more info on the horizon. The extension marks a long-term commitment for Brooks on the Strip. He’s already booked for 27 select dates overall, from May, June, July, November and December of next year.

Pac-12 extends agreement with Las Vegas through 2023

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Mark Anderson, Associated Press - The Pac-12 Conference extended its agreement to at least 2023 to play its championship game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The game Friday between No. 4 Southern California and No. 12 Utah will be the second in Las Vegas. Commissioner George Kliavkoff said Thursday the game has sold out. “Being in the entertainment capital of the world and a state-of-the-art NFL stadium is great for the Pac-12,” Kliavkoff said.

NFL announces new format for Pro Bowl Games in Las Vegas

Nevada (Las Vegas) - Mick Akers, Review-Journal - A re-imagined NFL Pro Bowl is set to occur in February at Allegiant Stadium. The NFL Pro Bowl Games will be highlighted by several skills competitions, culminating in three flag football games. The week kicks off Feb. 2 with the Pro Bowl Skills events pitting NFL stars against one another in competitions that will include previous fan-favorite challenges and newly added ones.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum to close in Atlantic City

New Jersey (Atlantic City) - Wayne Parry Associated Press - Believe it or not, an iconic part of the Atlantic City Boardwalk is closing soon. The Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! museum said Thursday it will close Dec. 31 after more than 26 years of tempting Boardwalk strollers with oddities including shrunken heads, mutant animals and models of unbelievably tall or small humans. The building that houses the museum is an instantly recognizable feature of the Boardwalk. It is designed with a giant globe that appears to have smashed into the front of the building and wedged part of the way inside it, cracking the foundation from top to bottom.

East Coast Gaming Conference returns to Atlantic City in April

New Jersey (Atlantic City) - Rege Behe, CDC Gaming Reports - The East Coast Gaming Congress & Nexgen Gaming Forum Friday announced the return to its traditional spring schedule in 2023. The conference will be held April 19-20, 2023, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The conference, in its 26th year, was last held Sept. 21-23, 2022, at the same venue.

City leaders discuss new developments along the waterfront

Mississippi (Biloxi) - Stephanie Poole, WLOX - Improvements are happening all along the waterfront. Red, green, purple, pink, and blue colors sparkle in downtown Biloxi. You’ve may have seen the observation wheel at Margaritaville dazzling in the sky, and it’s almost time to hitch a ride. Ward 6 Councilman Kenny Glavan said Paradise Pier Fun Park will bring more people to the area, expanding economic growth. 

Legislation would allow Petersburg casino vote

Virginia (Petersburg/Richmond) - David McGee, Herald Courier - Legislation pre-filed with the Virginia General Assembly seeks to allow the city of Petersburg to conduct a casino referendum and would temporarily delay Richmond from holding a second vote…would add Petersburg to the list of Virginia cities eligible to conduct a public referendum regarding placement of one casino in the city limits of each.

Arizona Sports Wagering Operators Claim $55 Million In September

Arizona (sports/results) - Chris Altruda, Sports Handle - The Arizona Department of Gaming reported a record $55.2 million in GGR for sports wagering in September, completing a historic nationwide rout by operators in which 24 of 27 states recorded holds of 10% or higher. Arizona’s handle was $538 million, and cleared $4 billion in handle for the 2022 calendar year.

Virginia Tops $500 Million In Handle for First Time

Virginia (sports/results) - Chris Altruda, Sports Handle – Virginia reported $528 million worth of wagers for October…Operators reported $51.2 million in gross revenue, a 9.7% hold for October. Promotional credits were less than $1 million for the second time in four months, with the $963,187 awarded barely half of September’s $1.7 million. Adjusted revenue carryovers and other deductions for operators totaled $5.6 million, leaving the state eligible to tax $45.5 million in adjusted revenue.

Poarch Creek Tribe to buy Miami’s Magic City Casino

Florida (Indian gaming) - Chava Gourarie, Commercial Observer - The longtime owners of Miami’s Magic City Casino plan to sell the property, and the license to operate it, to the Poarch Band Creek of Indians, a Native American tribe based in Alabama…The Havenick family has operated the casino since at least 1931, when it was a dog racing track called the Flagler Dog Track and Poker, and the first to receive a greyhound license. In 2009 it was rechristened as the Magic City Casino, and became the first pari-mutuel facility to offer slot machines

Muckleshoot Casino’s new hotel tower nears completion

Washington (Indian gaming) - Emily Hanson, KING - Muckleshoot Casino’s new 18-story resort tower now has 95 percent of its glass on, and the final steel beam was hoisted in place at the end of August. “Muckleshoot Casino and the Muckleshoot tribe have been known for the biggest and the best in the northwest,” said Robert Dearstine, executive director of resort operations at Muckleshoot Casino. “So now it’s the next part of the evolution.” The hotel is the tallest structure between Seattle and Tacoma.

San Manuel Band Surprises Native with Donations

California (Indian gaming) - Native News - In honor of Giving Tuesday, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians yesterday surprised 10 Native-led nonprofit organizations with donations of $100,000 each. The Tribe made donations totaling $1 million.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort to Host Multiple Job Fairs in December

California (Indian gaming) - Indian Gaming Magazine - Thunder Valley Casino Resort is looking to fill over 100 full and part-time positions at its job fairs throughout the month of December.   Positions include housekeepers, housepersons, janitorial porters, emergency medical technicians, security officers, cage cashiers, table games dealers, food servers, cooks, bakers, food court attendants, bus persons, beverage servers, beverage porters, and kitchen workers.

Lawmakers pursuing Northern Arapaho gaming proposal to help fund schools

Wyoming (Indian gaming) - Katie Roenigk, Country 10 - State lawmakers continued to discuss a proposal from the Northern Arapaho Tribe this month to develop Class III gaming on state-owned school trust land in order to generate new revenue for K-12 public education. The proposal was submitted in response to a statewide request for K-12 funding strategies from the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Revenue Committee, which was asked to “solicit and investigate ideas for sustainable, long-term revenue sources for K-12 education” this year by the legislature’s 2022 Management Council.

Mr. Cromwell To Appeal Sentencing In Bribery And Extortion Case

Massachusetts (Indian gaming) - Mackenzie Ryan, The Enterprise - Cedric Cromwell, former chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, has filed for an appeal following his sentencing in US District Court in Boston for bribery charges related to the Tribe’s plans to build the First Light Resort and Casino in Taunton. US Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock sentenced Mr. Cromwell, 57, to three years in prison and one year of supervised release on November 15. He was convicted on May 5 of two counts of accepting bribes as an agent of an Indian tribal government, three counts of extortion, and one count of conspiring to commit extortion

Entain relaunches Unirkn, aims to enter regulated markets

Global (corporate) - Daniel O'Boyle, iGaming Business - Entain has relaunched esports betting brand Unikrn, which it acquired last year, with plans to expand further into regulated markets…Going forward, Entain said that Unikrn will “continue plans to enter new, regulated markets around the globe in 2023 and into the future”.

Legislation bringing country in line with fellow EU states

Europe (Ireland) - Ted Orme-Claye, SBC News - Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Bill has been welcomed by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) as a ‘significant milestone’. The Bill was approved last month by the Irish cabinet, which is led by a tri-party coalition, having been drafted by Minister of State for Justice James Browne. Praising the legislation, EGBA has stated that the Bill will modernize Ireland’s gambling framework and bring the country in line with the regulatory regimes of other EU member states. 

Novomatic awarded G4 certification for responsible gaming

Europe (corporate) - Phil, G3 Newswire - Austria-based slot manufacturer and international casino operator Novomatic has been awarded G4 certification in Italy and Spain for its commitment to responsible gaming. This follows similar certifications already achieved by the company’s top-selling subsidiaries in Austria, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands. The G4 certification in Italy and Spain now underlines Novomatic’s position as a leading supplier of Responsible Gaming in these core markets, as well. For Novomatic as an international operator of gaming venues as well as a globally exporting technology supplier, Responsible Gaming has always been a top priority.

Unibet threatened with €6m fine in STS Poland lawsuit

Europe (Poland) - Ted Orme-Claye, SBC News - STS Gaming Group has initiated a lawsuit against Kindred Group’s Unibet sportsbook subsidiary, accusing the firm of violating Polish law and targeting consumers in the country…Allegations against Unibet include ‘many years of illegal activity’ such as providing games without Ministry of Finance permissions and unauthorized advertising and promotion, as well as marketing on the shirts of overseas football clubs during matches taking place in Poland.