Gaming News

LAS VEGAS : Casino developer MGM Mirage Inc. said Monday it would open its debut property in the Chinese gambling destination of Macau on Dec. via International Herald Tribune

MGM Mirage intends to replace its white tiger habitat near its Las Vegas hotel with a new stylish hamburger restaurant. via The Post Chronicle

“Your great nation and ours will have to negotiate those differences in terms of equity and fairness.”

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua : Antigua and Barbuda's prime minister said he was hopeful that weekend meetings with members of the U.S. Congress would help resolve an ongoing trade battle with the United States over ... via International Herald Tribune

A casino spokesman says competition from a tribal casino that opened this summer in southwestern Michigan has led Blue Chip Casino to lay off employees. via WSJV-TV South Bend

“The two projects are not tied together in any way.”

Isle of Capri Casinos has cancelled its lease on land in western Harrison County, where the company planned to build Pine Hills Casino.

Isle spokeswoman Jill Haynes said Wednesday, 'At this point there is no lease so there is no project.'

The lease provided for termination if all conditions, including obtaining permits and approvals, were not satisfied or waived within a set time. To get out of the lease, the company is taking a $5 million pre-tax charge.

Company officials were bullish on the Pine Hills site in a September conference call. New Isle of Capri Chief Operating Officer Virginia McDowell said the company was beginning to develop new master plans for the land it owns and controls in Biloxi and for Pine Hills, just off Interstate 10 in Harrison County. She said the company was re-evaluating whether the properties should be more upscale to compete with other casinos that have reopened. Read more

“There is nothing wrong with the life safety system on those floors”

Casino operator Harrah's Entertainment Inc. has reopened 501 guest rooms at its Harrah's Las Vegas property that had been taken off-line to complete overdue inspections by county officials, the company said. via USA Today

Las Vegas' very own, Irene Bustamante Adams, was honored for her accomplished position with MGM MIRAGE. via Customer Interaction Solutions

“We'll continue to look for attractive acquisitions. We will still be open and opportunistic as we always have been.”

WMS EARNINGS Slot machine manufacturer WMS Industries said its total revenues in the recently ended first quarter jumped 20 percent while the company's net income rose 56 percent. via Las Vegas Review Journal

“It is still unclear to us how management intends to maintain their capital structure after this ruling given that $45 million of debt needs to be repaid by August 2008”

IS THE DEATH WATCH ON FOR PROGRESSIVE GAMING? The Las Vegas-based gaming technology provider has to post a $20 million bond while it appeals a $39 million judgment in a federal antitrust case. via Hotel Online

“We're still very optimistic for the prospects long term at Blue Chip.”

MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. - Competition from a tribal casino that opened this summer in southwestern Michigan has led Blue Chip Casino to lay off employees, a spokesman said. via Herald-Bulletin

“If they are willing to dedicate their resources in becoming a leader in this area they can do it.”

The new dean of the Wharton School, Thomas Robertson, is the antithesis of one of the business school's most famous graduates, Donald Trump. via Times Leader

“I really think we should wait and see what happens”

Albany city officials this week accepted a consultant's recommendation to focus their waterfront-planning process on civic engagement and education, saying they want to be prepared if the landowner comes ... via East Bay Daily News

“I think clearly we've made some progress on all three of those things”

Hollywood Slots at Bangor will mark its second anniversary on Sunday with several traditional birthday cakes. via Bangor Daily News

MTR Gaming Group is reporting a third-quarter loss of $2.8 million and is blaming part of the loss on loans it needed to build a new slots parlor near Erie, Pa. via WTOV9

The chief executive officer of the gaming technology company GTECH and the Italian lottery company Lottomatica is resigning to start an investment firm. via WPRI-TV East Providence

Representatives from the Transport Workers Union of America said they are holding a drive to unionize about 600 dealers at Caesars Palace hotel-casino. Organizer Steve Roberts said an overwhelming majority of ... via KVVU-TV Henderson

“They want to posture themselves to being as competitive as they can be”

Mississippi's gaming chief said Thursday that he does not expect the Isle of Capri Casinos Inc.'s decision to pull back on a $300 million casino project in west Harrison County to stifle growth in the Gulf ... via The Clarion-Ledger

Casino giant Harrah's Entertainment Inc. said that the Indiana Gaming Commission has approved the $17.1 billion buyout of the company by private equity firms. via RGJ.com

Penn National Gaming Inc. on Nov. 7 said shareholders on Dec. 12 will vote on the previously announced merger agreement that would result in the acquisition of the company by certain funds managed by affiliates ... via SNL Financial

“The plan is to draw more customers with exclusive alliances and then sell them their private labels as well”

Macy's Inc. is turning to star power this holiday season to fight disappointing sales and resistance to its takeover of local department stores.

Macy's launched star-packed ads featuring celebrities such as Donald Trump and R&B singer Usher, made changes in merchandise including exclusive alliances with well-known designer brands and returned to more promotions at some locations.

The changes are meant to drive traffic and win over shoppers in some markets where the Macy's name replaced local favorites it absorbed as part of its acquisition of the May Department Stores Co. in 2005. Read more