BJ21.com Newsletter
December 4, 2009 091204
Presented as a public service
by BJ21.com, the leading source of accurate
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Compiled by Al
Rogers
Al@bj21.com
Criminal charges related to Harrah's remodeling dismissed
LAS VEGAS - A cloud of criminal charges that has hung for two years
over Harrah’s Entertainment, in connection with illegal remodeling at
its eight local hotels, was finally dispelled Friday morning.
Fed,
Treasury Extend Compliance Date on Gambling Act (Update3)
The U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve gave U.S. financial companies
six more months to comply with rules intended to limit the use of
payment systems for Internet gambling.
Republicans
Displeased With Delay in Implementation of Gambling Law
Senior House Republicans, including a key supporter of a 2006 law
designed to curb Internet gambling, said Wednesday that the Obama
administration’s decision to delay implementing the law thwarts the
will of Congress.
Online Poker Can Be Subject to Manipulation, FBI Says
Internet-based poker games can be subject to manipulation, a top
Federal Bureau of Investigation official said.
Tribal
head opposes online gambling
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians tribal chairman on Thursday
testified in Washington D.C. against legislation to legalize and
regulate Internet gambling in the United States.
Gaming
officials will eye Dubai -- CityCenter investor's debt raises concerns
LAS VEGAS - State gaming regulators, who licensed Dubai World last
month to share in revenue from the soon-to-open Aria's casino, are
closely watching the financial maneuverers of the Persian Gulf
emirate's investment arm as it deals with a potential default of some
$60 billion in debt.
Harrah's
Plans to Buy Planet Hollywood Casino
LAS VEGAS - Harrah's Entertainment Inc. has filed an application
to purchase the struggling Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las
Vegas, the Nevada Gaming Control Board said Monday.
AG says any Station Casinos trustee must be licensed by gaming
regulators
RENO- Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto and gaming
regulators are intervening in the Station Casinos Inc. bankruptcy case,
demanding that if a trustee is appointed that the trustee be licensed
by state casino regulators. Link to various court
documents in the Station bankruptcy case.
Lawmakers
call for revoking Foxwoods license
PHILADELPHIA - "Foxwoods is deadwood," said State Rep. Michael H.
O'Brien (D., Phila.).
Now-closed
sports betting Web site gets $28.2 million fine, placed on probation
for 5 years
ST. LOUIS - Defunct online gambling site BetOnSports.com has been
sentenced to probation and a $28.2 million fine that lawyers on both
sides say probably will never be paid.
Hard Rock plans to enter Caribbean with an all-inclusive resort and
casino
The Hard Rock chain plans to open its first all-inclusive resort and
casino next spring, when it begins operating the 121-acre Moon Palace
Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
A
post-casino future -- One state official says it in public: Nevada
can’t count on other people’s money anymore
Nevada Controller Kim Wallin is talking up the need to diversify the
state’s economy, cautioning other officials that—unlike past
recessions—there is no guarantee the casino economy will ever rebound.
Blago attorney says he would take 5th if called as witness in casino
lawsuit
CHICAGO - Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich would refuse to testify,
asserting his rights under the 5th Amendment, if called to the witness
stand in a civil suit in which a group of casinos are fighting Illinois
racetracks for millions of dollars, one of his lawyers says.
FREMONT
STREET EXPERIENCE: ACLU says rights remain curtailed -- Motion: Court
orders for mall ignored
This week, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada filed a motion
that asks a judge to consider holding the defendants, including the
city of Las Vegas, in contempt of court. The civil rights group
contends the defendants have failed to comply with a court order that
bars them from interfering with people who engage in protected
activity, such as street performances, at the pedestrian mall.
Snoqualmie
Casino struggles in first year -- Casino’s first year marred by
recession, bad weather, high debt and tribal conflict.
WASHINGTON STATE - Snoqualmie Casino’s one-year anniversary passed
quietly in November, met with none of the fanfare that accompanied its
opening in 2008.The Snoqualmie Tribe had hoped the casino would bring
in an influx of money to the tribe and an elevated standard of living
for its 600 Native American members. But the casino’s revenue has been
much lower than anticipated, and it has been marred with setbacks,
conflict and controversy.
Vdara exec predicts strong sales at new hotel -- Despite optimism,
hotel is only sold out one night in next few months
After a night of grand opening festivities, Vdara’s first public guests
checked into the hotel Wednesday and while the hotel has only sold out
for one night in the next few months, Vdara’s general manager is
predicting strong occupancy through the month.
Silver Club takes step towards reopening
Nevada's Gaming Control Board recommended approval of applications
Wednesday for new ownership of six Northern Nevada casinos run by the
Holder Hospitality Group, including the now-closed Silver Club in
Sparks.
NV
regulators endorse new owner for Minden casino
The Nevada Gaming Control Board has recommended approval of Michael
Pegram to buy the Carson Valley Inn in Minden.
Casino
owner hopes to keep 3 Elko-area properties
ELKO, NV - Casino owner Holder Group hopes to keep ownership of three
properties in the Elko area slated for public auction later this month.
Icahn Leads in Pursuit of Bankrupt Las Vegas Casino
Famed entrepreneur Carl Icahn placed a stalking-horse bid on the
Fontainebleau casino in Las Vegas, attempting to duplicate his success
at acquiring the Tropicana casino in New Jersey.
Binion’s
to close all 365 rooms, lay off 100 workers
Binion's Gambling Hall & Hotel in downtown Las Vegas will close its
365 rooms on Dec. 14 and lay off about 100 workers.
The Bear Growls
Long-time Las Vegas-based advantage player, casino critic, and frequent
BJ21.com
contributor LVBear offers his opinions on things that sometimes go
wrong in the world of casinos.
Current and past growls can be read and comments posted at LVBear's
website, TheBearGrowls.com
Casino-ology
by Bill Zender
Casino-ology
provides contrarian solutions to common gaming management issues.
It is must reading for
patrons and casino employees.
Bill Zender knows the art of casino management. In addition to having
worked in, managed, and owned casinos for decades, Zender has also been
an enforcement agent for the Nevada Gaming Control Board, as well as
spent time as an advantage player, exploiting the vulnerabilities of
casinos from the civilian side of the tables. Today, he travels the
globe consulting for the international casino industry.
In Casino-ology, Zender
argues against excessive card-counter and
shuffle-tracker countermeasures in favor of hand production to increase
profits, and concludes that rhythmic dice rollers aren.t the threat
they.re made out to be. He details the dangers of customer-service
breaches; ill-conceived non-negotiable-chip programs; and past-posting,
marked-card, and false-shuffle scams. He addresses player tracking
systems, 6-5 payouts for blackjacks, the subtleties of marketing to
Asian customers, nuances of the derivative pit games, even the science
of turning around a distressed casino.
By challenging long-cherished conventions, Casino-ology provides
contrarian and radical, but proven, solutions to common gaming issues.
The price is $39.95 plus shipping (plus sales tax if sent to a Nevada
address). Order Casino-ology by Bill Zender
Beat the Players - Casinos, Cops and the
Game Inside the Game, by Bob Nersesian
This
book should be read by everyone who sets foot in a casino: average
casino patrons, skilled players, casino employees, and anyone else. It
should be required reading for police officers, regulators, other
public officials, and attorneys who may represent any of the
aforementioned. Beat the Players
was the subject of a
feature in USA Today.
Bob
Nersesian is an attorney who represents victims of casino wrongdoing
against patrons. In an enjoyable writing style, he takes a look at the
often too-cozy relationship between casinos, police, and regulators. He
discusses specific cases and dispenses sound, practical advice that
patrons, casinos and public officials would be wise to heed. Cases
discussed are from Nevada and other jurisdictions.
Chapters
include: Your Money or Your Liberty; Scary Cop Statements; They'll Take
Your Liberty Anyway; Gaming Agents Speak; The Take of the State; Rules
for Casino Patrons; Gambling at the Legal Limits; Cops Hate Card
Counters; Griffin Investigations; Casinos Cheat With Impunity; A
Judicial and Government Overlay; Finding a Nickel Brings Trouble; Names
and Aliases; The Security Office and Surveillance Functions, and
Casinos and Cops.
Appendices
include Nevada Cheating and Detention Laws with Commentary; Other
Nevada Gaming Laws of Interest; Gaming Cases of Interest, and Nevada
Gaming Regulations with Commentary.
The
320-page book includes a bibliography and an index.
The
price is $19.95 plus shipping (plus sales tax if sent to a Nevada
address). Green Chip
members get their normal 10% discount .Order Beat
the Players.
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