Areas of Expertise
6735 stories by Devin O'Connor
Shuttered Imperial Palace Saipan Casino Resort Targeted by New Jersey Investors
The nearly defunct Imperial Palace Saipan casino could receive new life by way of two investors based in New Jersey. They reportedly have the financial means to revitalize the shuttered multibillion-dollar integrated resort. The Saipan Tribune reported today that Andrew Yam, executive...
Georgia Gambling Efforts Pass House Committee, But Odds Remain Long
Gambling in Georgia is limited to its state-run lottery and charitable fundraising games. But members of the House Economic Development and Tourism Committee feel it's time to consider expansion. The House committee yesterday moved forward Senate Resolution 135 (SR135) and Senate Bill...
MGM Osaka Resort Receives Required Prefecture and City Approvals for IR Bid
MGM Resorts International, through its MGM Japan subsidiary, has been cleared to move forward with presenting its JPY1.08 trillion (US$8.8 billion) integrated resort (IR) concept to Japan's central government. MGM is leading a consortium with Japanese financial services group Orix Corporation to...
Blackstone Crown Resorts Takeover Clears Major Regulatory Hurdle
The Blackstone Group's AU$8.9 billion (US$6.6 billion) takeover of Australian casino firm Crown Resorts passed its first major regulatory hurdle this week. Crown Resorts revealed today through a regulatory filing made with the Australian Securities Exchange that the $6.6 billion agreement has...
Las Vegas Man Who Threatened Mass Shooting Freed After Gold Coast Casino Arrest
Las Vegas Metro Police say a local man arrested over the weekend for communicating a bomb threat at an area casino has been released without bail. Metro Police responded to the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino around 6:30 am PST on Saturday,...
Culinary Union Announces Mass Action Lawsuit Against Station Casinos
The Culinary Union in Las Vegas is alleging that Station Casinos has violated numerous conditions imposed under Nevada's "Right to Return" law. And the powerful trade group plans to take its members' grievances against the locals-focused casino operator to court. The Culinary...
Netflix Documentary ‘Bad Vegan’ Chronicles Conman Gambling Illicit Funds at Casinos
Netflix has done it again. The streaming giant's latest true crime documentary, "Bad Vegan," is trending on social media for presenting a most outrageous and seemingly unbelievable story. But this tale involving high-stakes gambling is based on truth. "Bad Vegan: Fame. Fraud....
Saint Peter’s March Madness Cinderella Run a Story of Riches for Oddsmakers
Saint Peter's did the unprecedented during the 2022 men's college basketball tournament by being the first 15-seed to reach the Elite Eight. And the unlikeliest of Cinderella stories ended up being a tale of riches for sportsbooks and oddsmakers. During and after...
Macau Casino Operators to Pay $6M Each for License Extensions Through 2022
The six Macau casino operators will each pay the enclave government MOP47 million -- or roughly $5.83 million based on today's exchange rate -- to have their gaming concessions extended through December 31, 2022. For more than two years, COVID-19 has greatly...
Singapore Reopening Border with Malaysia April 1, Tests and Quarantines No More
From April 1, Singapore and neighboring Malaysia will reopen their borders to fully vaccinated citizens of the two nations without COVID-19 testing or quarantine requirements. In what's expected to jumpstart short-term travel between the two Southeast Asia neighbors, the news is major...