Foxwoods’ operator, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, has announced plans to create a casino resort in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Foxwoods Mississippi rising: although devastated by Hurricane Katrina eleven years ago, Biloxi, Mississippi’s gambling enterprises have now made a comeback, and also the Mashantucket Pequot plan to maneuver in by 2019.
Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council Rodney Butler said this week that the proposed $265 million casino resort, also to be called Foxwoods, will host a 500-room hotel, and 71,000 square foot of meeting and event space.
It’s going to be built on the site of a former heinz pet food factory on Biloxi’s Ebony Bay, in partnership with Biloxi Boardwalk Ventures and The Hartmann Group.
The tribe is desperate to expand its casino operations, as the market in the Northeast is at risk of becoming saturated. Increased competition in nearby states, plus an expansion that is costly its Connecticut resort during the start of the economic downturn, has saddled the Pequot with $1.7 billion in debt.
And now a threat that is new the once-thriving Foxwoods looms just across the state line in Connecticut in the MGM Springfield, a $950 million resort, scheduled to open in 2018.
New England Border Wars
In reaction, Foxwoods and its Connecticut rival Mohegan Sun have partnered for a proposed project to build a ‘satellite casino’ on the other side of the border. The task that has been scornfully dismissed by MGM Chairman Jim Murren as a ‘box of slots.’
But MGM is adequately concerned about the program to launch a legal challenge against the state of Connecticut, decrying the proposed satellite casino as unconstitutional. The Mohegans and the Pequot would be the only entities lawfully permitted to use casinos in the state, and until now, only from inside their own tribal lands.
MGM is crying foul, noting that the brand new satellite casino would be built outside the tribes’ sovereign regions.
In the middle of brand New England’s casino border wars, Foxwoods obviously sees expansion as its only path out of crippling debt, and so it is looking south. But also for all the talk of saturation in the Northeast, Biloxi is hardly bereft of casinos itself. The city has 11, with a total of 15 in the Gulf Coast.
Biloxi’s Slowly Recovery
It has taken a ten years for the region to begin its recovery that is economic following devastation of Hurricane Katrina, during which several of Biloxi’s casinos were damaged or damaged. But there are indications that Biloxi’s rebuilt casino industry is just starting to enjoy growth, and its tourism industry is recovering.
According to a recent report by the Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association, Mississippi casinos reported $2.12 billion in video gaming revenue and $758 million in non-gaming revenue in 2015, with Gulf Coast gambling enterprises accounting for $1.15 billion. And now, a decade after Katrina, Foxwoods is gambling on a bounce back again to complete health.
The tribe has said that it hopes to open Foxwoods Mississippi in spring of 2019.
New Jersey Casino Expansion? Maybe Not Therefore Fast, Say Nyc Lawmakers
Brand New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-89th), says he’s damned if he is going to stay right back and allow nj-new Jersey build casinos right across the water from New York City. (Image:assembly.state.ny.us)
A recent push for New Jersey casino expansion has caused a boatload of controversy, and among those pushing back are neighboring New York City lawmakers.
Big Apple legislators are now considering cutting short the seven-year ban on certification casinos in the brand New York metropolitan area, in order to counteract New Jersey’s proposed expansion in the north, or at minimum they’re pretending they will.
Confused? Enable brand New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-89th), Chairman of the New York Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, to clear things up.
‘We’re not telling them [New Jersey] just what to do,’ Pretlow told Bloodhorse.com this week. ‘We’re telling them if they do what they wish to accomplish then we’re going to do that which we desire to do.’
Ok, many thanks, Gary.
To translate, New York is aghast that nj is considering licensing two gambling enterprises in the north, in the middle of its casino expansion that is own upstate. They also had the chutzpah to consider one on the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, home to the New York Giants and brand New York Jets, of all places. And one on the waterfront in Jersey City, directly across from Lower Manhattan.
Fool’s Gold
New York, when it licensed three brand new casinos upstate this season, did therefore beneath the proviso that no casinos could be built downstate for seven years. This had been written in to the bill that authorized its expansion, that has been passed in 2013.
But now, facing a potential border war in the south, New York pols are mulling the idea of tearing that agreement up, or at least making loud noises about doing this so that you can warn New Jersey down.
New Jersey, of program, has problems of its own. Atlantic City’s casino industry is through tough times, mainly due to oversaturation of the market and increased competition from the casino expansion of neighboring states, chiefly Pennsylvania.
Some see northern casinos, which it’s hoped would tempt gamblers across the Hudson, as the answer to all their problems, while other people see them as being a fool’s silver that could spell curtains for Atlantic City.
Referendum november
New Jersey residents will determine the question of expansion in a referendum in and polls suggest they are almost equally divided on the issue november. Nyc is hoping that by flexing its muscles it might be able to put Brand New Jersey voters off, and scare away potential investors in North Jersey casino projects.
‘I’m not thinking about creating a border war with nj-new jersey, but brand New York features a vested interest in video gaming and we are maybe not going to allow one of our neighbors to simply take away from that,’ Pretlow said this week.
As well as opening up casino gaming to New York City and its suburbs, the state is considering the thought of giving AqueductRacetrack and Yonkers Raceway full-blown casino licenses. Or at the least they will loudly be talking very about any of it whenever New Jerseyans are within earshot.
Pennsylvania Casinos Obtain Option to Dispense Alcohol 24/7, Las Vegas-Style
Enter a Pennsylvania casino within the months that are coming and you’ll likely have the option to eat alcohol 24 / 7. On June 8, Governor Tom Wolf (D) signed House Bill 1690 into law so as to modernize the state’s rather liquor that is antiquated.
Drinks, anyone? When bars in downtown Pittsburgh close at 2 am, the streams, Parx, and Sands Bethlehem properties will likely continue pouring, now that Governor Tom Wolf has signed a law to enable Pennsylvania casinos to serve alcohol all and night day. (Image: businesspundit.com)
Just before the passage that is historic convenience stores and filling stations were barred from selling six packages of beer, and residents in the Keystone State couldn’t purchase wine in grocery stores or have wine shipped directly to their houses. Gambling enterprises were also forced to adhere to alcohol laws governing taverns and bars and stop selling spirits at 2 am.
Pennsylvania will continue operating the state liquor stores, but the bill is being celebrated by Wolf and liquor expansion proponents.
‘As I have always said, my goal is to modernize the sale of liquor and alcohol in Pennsylvania and this reform package finally brings Pennsylvania’s wine and spirits system into the 21st century,’ the governor stated.
Spirited Business
Before HB 1690, Pennsylvania’s 13 casinos were forbidden from serving alcohol after 2 am. Casinos will now have the possibility to rid themselves of these hourly restrictions, but they will come at a cost that is steep.
The new casino liquor category allows companies invested in gambling to purchase 24/7 booze licenses for $1 million for a year that is initial. Renewals for the permits will surely cost $1 million for the following 3 years before dropping to $250,000 annually.
Lawmakers in Harrisburg are optimistic gambling enterprises will jump at the chance to serve booze around the clock, and in doing so, the continuing state should benefit from the certification revenue.
Republicans control the state legislature, plus the General that is conservative Assembly searching for ways to fund Wolf’s proposed expanded budget that is anticipated to produce a $1 billion shortfall. The state is looking at online gambling as another new source of income in addition to easing liquor laws.
Sands Bethlehem, Parx Casino, and streams Casino, the top three grossing facilities in hawaii, have actually remained quiet on the liquor news. However, all three are expected to benefit from the new measure.
While Sands and Parx aren’t situated within walking distance of urban downtowns where nightlife is forced to disperse at 2 am, the Rivers Casino could become the newest go-to after party spot once city bars close in Pittsburgh.
Alcohol Laws Differ By State
As gambling has expanded in the congested northeast, states are looking for methods to give their venues an advantage. Permitting alcohol that is perennial should do just that.
Nevada Regulators Give US Fantasy Thumbs Up, and DFS Is Back Up To Speed, Sort Of
A company named US Fantasy might conjure up all kinds of images, but this one proposes to offer dream recreations gambling to clients at Nevada casinos centered on a parimutuel wagering system. Owner Vic Salerno, known as an innovator in the race and sports book industries, believes that daily fantasy activities (DFS) might be back in the menu in Nevada soon, at the least in a slightly tweaked format.
That’s because this the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) recommended licensing for the company newly formed by Salerno in US Fantasy week.
Las vegas, nevada recreations innovator that is betting Salerno, right, (shown with American Wagering’s Senior Vice President of Business Development & Public Affairs John English last year) is able to unfurl his US Fantasy in Nevada. (Image: reviewjournal.com)
‘It’s so simple, I can’t understand just why anybody didn’t consider this before,’ Salerno formerly told the Las Las Vegas Review-Journal. ‘ We know fantasy sports https://myfreepokies.com/bondibet-casino/ has proven become an attractive offering for a broader market. It’s a unique possibility for the industry.’
Now, he’s giving it a new twist, telling Gaming Today this week that ‘all we’re doing is replacing horses with individual athletes.’
On the Gaming Control Board unanimously recommended the issue of an off-track, parimutuel sports system operator’s license wednesday. The application will now be passed to the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) where its anticipated to receive approval that is final.
Pointless Licensing
Nevadans have actually been without daily fantasy activities (DFS) since late year that is last when operators pulled the plug carrying out a ruling by Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett that DFS constituted gambling under Nevada law. And that ruling ended up being subsequently supported by the state’s Attorney General Adam Laxalt, who supported Burnett’s decision.
‘Because DFS involves wagering on the performance that is collective of participating in sports, under current law, regulation and approvals, in order to lawfully expose DFS for play within their state of Nevada, an individual must have a permit to operate an activities pool issued by the Nevada Gaming Commission,’ wrote Burnett at the time.
While operators like DraftKings and FanDuel were told to cease and desist with immediate impact, regulators emphasized that they might be welcomed back in Nevada provided they used for a sports betting license. But since their state does maybe not sanction online activities betting, limiting offsite betting to remote apps within the state being licensed by land-based casinos, the pursuit of online licensing is not a priority for the market-leading DFS internet sites.
Fantasy Fulfilled
US Fantasy, meanwhile, will provide competitions in Nevada through brick-and-mortar casinos, but will also seek to work alongside regulators in other states, in an effort to link up with racetracks, off-track-betting parlors, casinos, and lotteries around the US. The target will be to help build networked prize pools for the contests. It may also offer online contests in states where DFS has been regulated, and is not regarded as activities gambling.
Salerno had been a co-founder of Leroy’s House and Sports spot, which opened in downtown Las Vegas in the late seventies and grew into American Wagering, the company that operates nearly all Vegas sports publications today.
American Wagering was acquired by British bookmaker William Hill in 2012, and Salerno was retained as chairman associated with newly formed William Hill US. He could be credited with launching several innovations into the industry, including the self-service gambling kiosk and hawaii’s first mobile sports betting app.