Areas of Expertise
4947 stories by Devin O'Connor
Macau Ends COVID-19 Mask Policy, but Residents and Guests Continue to Wear Them
Macau health authorities over the weekend largely ended the enclave's COVID-19 mask policy as epidemic conditions remain stable in the casino hub. Macau's local government had encouraged all city residents and visitors to cover their faces with protective masks since the onset...
Cordish Appeals Bally’s State College Casino License to Pennsylvania Supreme Court
The Cordish Companies isn't folding on its fight in Pennsylvania to prevent a gaming license from being issued to the Bally's Corporation for a Category 4 satellite casino in State College near Penn State University's main campus. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board...
CDC on Casino Smoking: ‘What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Your Lungs’
New research from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that even supposedly smoke-free sections of a casino floor still present considerable health dangers. MGM Resorts amid the COVID-19 pandemic announced that Park MGM -- formerly the Monte Carlo...
Emerald Queen Casino Riverboat Sold, Vessel Solidified Puyallup Tribe Sovereignty
The original Emerald Queen Casino riverboat that helped assure the economic sovereignty of the Puyallup Tribe in Washington more than a quarter-century ago has been sold. One of 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington, the Puyallup Tribe, like so many other Native...
WinStar World Casino Resort Partners With Lucas Oil for Expansion
WinStar World Casino Resort in Thackerville, Okla., is already one of the world's largest casinos. It's about to get bigger. Spread across numerous casinos, each with a distinct theme, WinStar offers nearly 10,500 slot machines and electronic gaming positions, plus more than...
Missouri Sports Betting Bills Move Forward, VLT Legislation Dead
Missouri sports betting bills progressed out of their respective legislative committees in Jefferson City this week. House Bill 556, House Bill 581, and Senate Bill 30 all found favor in their committees on Thursday. HB556 and HB581 both unanimously passed the House...
Shuttered Majestic Star Casino Hotel Serving as SWAT Training Ground Before Demolition
The former Majestic Star Casino Hotel in Gary, Ind., is set for demolition. But before the 300-room, four-story structure is brought down, the property is being utilized for SWAT and police training exercises. Organized through US Sen. Mike Braun's office (R-Indiana) in...
President Biden’s Resort Fee Crackdown Opposed by American Gaming Association
President Joe Biden is targeting resort fees and other so-called "junk" charges that hotels and casinos often tack on to an advertised rate at the end of the booking process. But the nation's leading casino lobbying group -- the American Gaming Association...
Albany Sheriff’s Employee Allegedly Stole $68K in Civil Forfeiture Funds to Gamble
A former employee with the Albany County Sheriff's Office in New York has been charged with grand larceny in the second degree and five counts of forgery -- all felonies -- for allegedly stealing $68K to cover his gambling habit. A recent...
$1.35B Mega Millions Winner Comes Forward in Maine, Picks One-Time Cash Option
The Mega Millions winner of the $1.35 billion jackpot hit on Jan. 13 has come forward in Maine, but they're utilizing a newly formed limited liability company (LLC) to limit their public exposure. The January 2023 drawing was only the fourth time...