Areas of Expertise
4294 stories by Devin O'Connor
Wakayama Officials Say Integrated Resort Casino Must Focus on Wellness and Nature
Casinos and health and wellness don't typically resonate together. But Wakayama lawmakers want their potential integrated resort (IR) to be a healing apparatus. The Wakayama prefecture has announced specifics regarding its IR, and what features interested bidders would be smart to include....
Virginia Lottery Director: Sports Betting Operational for Super Bowl
Virginia sports betting will be up and running in time for Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7, according to the state's lottery director. Speaking with WTKR News 3 in Norfolk, Virginia Lottery Executive Director Kevin Hall says the state is nearing the...
Yokohama Officials Reject Casino Referendum, City Moving Forward with Integrated Resort Dreams
The Yokohama City Council has rejected a resident-led campaign to ask voters whether they want to authorize an integrated resort (IR) casino in Japan's second-largest city. The "Yokohama Citizens' Group to Decide on a Casino" successfully obtained far more than the 62,500...
Alabama City Clerk Who Stole Money to Gamble Sentenced to Federal Prison
An Alabama woman will spend the next year in federal prison after pleading guilty to stealing more than $400,000 from two cities where she served as clerk. Kim Wright Green, 50, of Loxley, Alabama pleaded guilty a year ago to embezzling $400,030...
Las Vegas Mayor ‘Ready to Welcome World Back,’ as State Reports Record COVID-19 Deaths, Cases
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman has been critical of COVID-19 lockdowns and Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak's (D) handling of the coronavirus pandemic. In her annual State of the City address, her 10th as mayor, Goodman called 2020 "an extremely difficult year." But...
President Donald Trump Skipping President-Elect Joe Biden Inauguration, Bettors Right
President Donald Trump says he will not attend the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. If he indeed skips the ceremony, it will be the first time a president hasn't attended his successor's swearing-in since 1869. A day after Trump pledged a "smooth,...
COVID-19 Costs Ohio Gaming Industry $500M in Revenue, $175M in State Taxes
Ohio casinos and racetrack racinos saw their collective gross gaming revenue (GGR) decline $500 million last year. COVID-19 led to a complete shutdown of the gaming floors from mid-March through late June on Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's (R) orders. Since reopening, the...
Trump Mulling Self-Pardon, Odds Shorten on What Would Be a Presidential First
President Donald Trump is reportedly considering pardoning himself, a move that would be a first in the history of the United States. The New York Times says the President has suggested to aides that he wants to pardon himself in the final...
Cordish Companies to Open Second Pennsylvania Casino During Pandemic
The Cordish Companies is inching closer to opening its second casino in Pennsylvania. The Maryland-based hospitality and gaming group opened Live! Casino Pittsburgh on November 24. On January 19, Live! Casino Hotel Philadelphia will welcome its first guests at 4:00 pm ET....
Massachusetts Sports Betting, Third Resort Casino Omitted from Stimulus Bill
Massachusetts lawmakers moved an economic development bill through the Legislature this week, but it did not include sports betting. The omnibus also did not encourage state gaming regulators to consider a third integrated resort casino. The $626.5 million stimulus package -- "An...
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