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 casinos have now made a comeback, and the Mashantucket Pequot plan to go in by 2019.
Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council Rodney Butler stated this week that the proposed $265 million casino resort, also to be called Foxwoods, will host a 500-room hotel, and 71,000 square legs of conference and exhibition space.
It’s going to be built on the website of A heinz that is former pet factory on Biloxi’s Black 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 in peril of becoming saturated. Increased competition in nearby states, plus an expansion that is costly its Connecticut resort during the start of 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 https://1xbetwebsite.ru/ 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 on a proposed project to develop a ’satellite casino’ on the reverse side of the border. The task that has been scornfully dismissed by MGM Chairman Jim Murren as a ‘box of slots.’
But MGM is sufficiently concerned with the master plan to launch a legal challenge against the state of Connecticut, decrying the proposed satellite casino as unconstitutional. The Mohegans and the Pequot are the only entities lawfully permitted to work casinos into the state, and until now, only from within their own tribal lands.
MGM is crying foul, noting that the new satellite casino would be built outside the tribes’ sovereign regions.
In the midst of New England’s casino border wars, Foxwoods obviously sees expansion as the only path out of crippling financial obligation, and so it is looking south. But for most of the talk of saturation in the Northeast, Biloxi is hardly bereft of casinos it self. The town has 11, with a total of 15 in the Gulf Coast.
Biloxi’s Slow Recovery
It has taken a decade for the location 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 starting to enjoy development, and its own tourism industry is recovering.
According to a recent report by the Mississippi Gaming and Hospitality Association, Mississippi casinos reported $2.12 billion in gaming revenue and $758 million in non-gaming revenue in 2015, with Gulf Coast casinos accounting for $1.15 billion. And today, a decade after Katrina, Foxwoods is gambling on a bounce back to health that is full.
The tribe has said that it hopes to start Foxwoods Mississippi in spring of 2019.
Nj Casino Expansion? Maybe Not Therefore Fast, Say Ny Lawmakers
New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-89th), says he’s damned if he is likely to stay straight back and allow nj-new Jersey build casinos right across the water from nyc. (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 quick the ban that is seven-year certification casinos into 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? Allow New York Assemblyman Gary Pretlow (D-89th), Chairman of the New York Senate Racing, Gaming, and Wagering Committee, to clear things up.
‘we are not telling them [New Jersey] just what to do,’ Pretlow told Bloodhorse.com this week. ‘we are telling them if they do what they might like to do then we’re going to do that which we desire to do.’
Ok, thanks, Gary.
To translate, New York is aghast that nj-new jersey is considering licensing two casinos in the north, in the midst of its casino expansion that is own upstate. They also had the chutzpah to think about 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 casinos that are new this year, did so beneath the proviso that no casinos could possibly be built downstate for seven years. This was written in to the bill that authorized its expansion, which was passed in 2013.
However now, dealing with a border that is potential in the south, New York pols are mulling the concept of tearing that agreement up, or at least making loud noises about doing this so that you can warn New Jersey off.
New Jersey, of course, has problems of its own. Atlantic City’s casino industry has been through tough times, largely due to oversaturation of this market and increased competition from the casino expansion of neighboring states, chiefly Pennsylvania.
Some see north casinos, which it’s hoped would lure gamblers across the Hudson, as the answer to all their problems, while others see them as being a fool’s silver that may spell curtains for Atlantic City.
November Referendum
New Jersey residents will determine the concern of expansion in a referendum in and polls suggest they are almost equally divided on the issue november. New York is hoping that by flexing its muscles it might be able to put Brand New Jersey voters off, and frighten investors that are away potential North Jersey casino projects.
‘I’m not enthusiastic about creating a border war with nj-new jersey, but brand New York includes a vested interest in video gaming and we are maybe not going to permit one of our neighbors to simply take far from that,’ Pretlow said this week.
As well as opening up casino gaming to ny City and its suburbs, the state is considering the idea of providing AqueductRacetrack and Yonkers Raceway full-blown casino licenses. Or at least they will be talking very loudly about any of it whenever New Jerseyans are within earshot.
Pennsylvania Casinos Receive Choice To Dispense Alcohol 24/7, Las Vegas-Style
Enter a Pennsylvania casino into the coming months, and also you’ll likely have the choice to consume alcohol 24 / 7. On June 8, Governor Tom Wolf (D) signed House Bill 1690 into legislation in order 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 legislation to allow Pennsylvania casinos to provide alcohol all and night day. (Image: businesspundit.com)
Just before the passage that is historic convenience stores and gasoline stations were barred from selling six packs of alcohol, and residents in the Keystone State couldn’t purchase wine in food markets or have wine shipped directly to their houses. Gambling enterprises were also forced to stick to liquor laws taverns that are governing bars and stop selling spirits at 2 am.
Pennsylvania will stay running the state liquor shops, but the bill is being celebrated by Wolf and liquor expansion proponents.
‘As i’ve always stated, my goal is to modernize the sale of liquor and beer in Pennsylvania and also this reform package finally brings Pennsylvania’s wine and spirits system to the century that is 21st’ 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 those 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 an initial year. Renewals for the permits will cost $1 million for the following 3 years before dropping to $250,000 annually.
Lawmakers in Harrisburg are optimistic gambling enterprises will leap during the opportunity to serve booze 24 / 7, as well as in doing so, the continuing state should benefit from the certification revenue.
Republicans control the state legislature, and also the General that is conservative Assembly searching for ways to fund Wolf’s proposed expanded budget that is expected to produce a $1 billion shortfall. In addition to easing liquor laws, the state is evaluating on line gambling as another brand new source of income.
Sands Bethlehem, Parx Casino, and streams Casino, the top three grossing facilities in the state, have stayed quiet on the alcohol news. However, all three are expected to make use of the measure that is new.
While Sands and Parx aren’t located within walking distance of urban downtowns where nightlife is forced to disperse at 2 am, the Rivers Casino could become the latest 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 searching for methods to give their venues an edge. Permitting alcohol that is perennial should do just that.
Nevada Regulators Give US Fantasy Thumbs Up, and DFS Is Back On Board, Type Of
An organization named United States Fantasy might conjure up all kinds of images, but this one proposes to supply dream activities betting to customers at Nevada casinos based on a parimutuel wagering system. Owner Vic Salerno, known being an innovator in the race and sports book industries, believes that daily fantasy recreations (DFS) could possibly be back on the menu in Nevada quickly, at 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.
Nevada sports betting innovator Vic Salerno, right, (shown with American Wagering’s Senior Vice President of Business Development & Public Affairs John English last year) is preparing to unfurl his US Fantasy in Nevada. (Image: reviewjournal.com)
‘It’s so simple, I can’t understand just why anybody didn’t think of this before,’ Salerno previously told the Las Las Vegas Review-Journal. ‘ We all know fantasy sports has proven become an attractive offering for a broader market. It is a opportunity that is unique the industry.’
Now, he’s giving it a twist that is new telling Gaming Today this week that ‘all we’re doing is replacing horses with human athletes.’
On Wednesday, the Gaming Control Board unanimously recommended the issue of an off-track, parimutuel sports system operator’s license. The application will now be passed to the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) where it really is expected to receive approval that is final.
Pointless Licensing
Nevadans have actually been without daily fantasy activities (DFS) since late a year ago, when operators pulled the plug adhering to a ruling by Gaming Control Board Chairman A.G. Burnett that DFS constituted gambling under Nevada law. And that ruling was subsequently supported by the state’s Attorney General Adam Laxalt, who supported Burnett’s decision.
‘Because DFS involves wagering on the collective performance of individuals taking part in sporting events, under current law, legislation and approvals, in order to lawfully expose DFS for play within the State of Nevada, a person must possess a license to use a sports pool issued by the Nevada Gaming Commission,’ wrote Burnett at that time.
While operators like DraftKings and FanDuel were told to cease and desist with immediate impact, regulators emphasized they applied for a sports betting license that they would be welcomed back in Nevada provided. But since the state does not sanction online sports betting, limiting offsite betting to remote apps inside the state which are certified by land-based casinos, the pursuit of online certification is not a priority for the market-leading DFS web sites.
Fantasy Fulfilled
US Fantasy, meanwhile, will provide competitions in Nevada through brick-and-mortar casinos, but will even seek to work well with regulators in other states, so as to connect up with racetracks, off-track-betting parlors, gambling enterprises, 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 already been regulated, and is perhaps not considered to be sports wagering.
Salerno ended up being a co-founder of Leroy’s House and Sports spot, which opened in downtown Las vegas, nevada in the seventies that are late grew into American Wagering, the business that operates the majority of Vegas sports publications today.
American Wagering was acquired by British bookmaker William Hill in 2012, and Salerno was retained as chairman of the newly formed William Hill US. He’s credited with presenting several innovations into the industry, including the self-service wagering kiosk and hawaii’s first mobile sports app that is betting.