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Pennsylvania to Give Green Light to Online


Despite a hearing in front of the House Gaming Oversight Committee being cancelled, momentum continues to build for Pennsylvania online industry


Analysts believe that the online gaming industry is just a month away from Pennsylvania passing legislation to allow real-money online gaming


PENNSYLVANIA ONLINE


Pennsylvania is looking at allowing its 12 land- based casino operators to offer some of their games over the internet. Proposals include a $10m licensing fee and tax rates of between 15 and 25 per cent. It would legalise daily fantasy sports, skill-based slot machines, multi-state progressive slot machines and tablet gaming at some airports.


Te state is planning to hold a joint gambling reform hearing in front of both the House and Senate allowing both legislative bodies, which have been at loggerheads over the proposals, to iron out any remaining concerns. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf highlighted the optimism that online gaming will be introduced by including online gaming revenue in his 2017 to 2018 budget. He believes the expansion could generate as much as US$100m in the current fiscal year, increasing to $150m for the budget year.


His report said: “Given developments within the legislature, the governor’s proposed budget does not put forth a specific proposal for expansion, but merely assumes revenues within the current ideas being discussed.”


Canada


MGM Resorts will be adopting BCLC’s responsible gaming program GameSense for its customers across North America as part of an agreement with BCLC. British Columbia’s provincial gambling corporation has agreed to license its responsible gambling program, GameSense. MGM anticipates having GameSense fully integrated into all of its properties across the USA within the year. Te agreement, announced at the fifth annual New Horizons in Responsible Gambling Conference in Vancouver, B.C., marks the first time a program of this kind is being licensed by any commercial gaming company in North America. Introduced by BCLC in 2009, GameSense is an innovative, player-focused responsible gambling program that encourages players to adopt behaviours and attitudes that can reduce the risk of developing gambling disorders.


Pennsylvania’s casinos generated a record $3.2bn last year representing a 1.25 per cent increase year-on-year and cementing its position as the second top earning casino state after Nevada.


Senator Jay Costa believes online gaming is the natural evolution for gaming in the state.


He said: “I think it’s a natural progression of gaming in Pennsylvania, the next logical step. To some degree, both (iGaming and DFS) are already present, particularly fantasy sports. What we’re doing is regulating it. I think the people of Pennsylvania believe this is something that’s appropriate right now.”


Penn National’s Senior Vice President of public affairs D. Eric Schippers, one of the state’s 12 casino operators, said: “Te commonwealth is now looking at close to a $3bn deficit, and all new revenue options are on the table. And so we’re trying to look at it as we’re concerned with extending our existing investment — the 2,300 jobs we have at our Hollywood Casino — as well as look at it opportunistically to see whether we can get iGaming out of this.”


California New Boyd casino with Wilton Rancheria Tribe?


Boyd Gaming’s tribal gaming partner Wilton Rancheria Tribe has bought a 35.9-acre land parcel in Elk Grove, California. Boyd Gaming currently has an agreement, subject to approval by the National Indian Gaming Commission, to develop and manage a casino resort on the Tribe’s behalf.


Te tribe’s land is located adjacent to Howard Hughes Corporation’s planned mall development on Highway 99, approximately 15 miles southeast of Sacramento. Te Tribe will be required to enter into a compact with the State of California before proceeding with a gaming project.


“Te Tribe is excited to partner with Boyd Gaming to help develop our proposed resort and casino in Elk Grove, California,” said Raymond Hitchcock, Chairman of Wilton Rancheria. “Tey have been a leader in the gaming industry for over 40 years and their core family values and customer-friendly entertainment reflect our own vision of success.”


“We congratulate the Wilton Rancheria Tribe on reaching this major milestone toward self-sufficiency,” said Keith Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming. “Boyd Gaming is honored to be their partner, and we look forward to working closely with Chairman Hitchcock and the Wilton Tribe in developing an exciting and compelling entertainment resort that the entire community can take pride in.”


Boyd Gaming has just reported fourth-quarter 2016 net revenues of $554.8m, an increase of 2.2 per cent from $542.7m in the year-ago quarter. Te Las Vegas Locals segment, fourth-quarter 2016 net revenues were $185.7m, up from $158.8m in the year-ago quarter.


 NORTH AMERICA


US – Aristocrat has appointed Matt Wilson to the position of Managing Director of the Americas, based in Las Vegas. “Matt’s leadership has been instrumental to Aristocrat’s recent growth both in the


Americas and across other key markets,” said CEO- Elect Trevor Croker. “Matt comes to the role with proven commercial and strategic skills and a genuine passion for product and helping our customers succeed. We are delighted to welcome Matt to the position of Managing Director of the Americas,” Mr. Croker concluded.


Wilson has been with Aristocrat since 2004 and has held several significant positions in a variety of the company’s key markets. Most recently, he was Senior Vice President of Global Gaming Operations, where he helped to grow the company’s gaming operations (leased) product line with landmark new titles.


US – Gary Platt Manufacturing ended a very successful 2016 by delivering its largest order of the year to the stunning new MGM National Harbor. Gary Platt supplied more than 4,000 custom- designed slot and table game chairs for the new casino, winning more than 90 percent of the floor share.


“Supplying more than 4,000 chairs to one of the world’s most exciting properties was an incredible way to end the year,” Gary Platt President Skip Davis said. “We worked closely with MGM brand feel and experience. We are proud to have combined our unsurpassed comfort with our distinctive design abilities for this exceptional property.”


As part of the landmark contract, Gary Platt created three new chairs that were launched at MGM National Harbor: the San Remo, the Genoa, and the Lido NH. Introducing a classically rich design with an emphasis on the comfort that Gary Platt is recognized for, the new MGM National Harbor chairs are truly comfort-driven products.


The custom designs underscore Gary Platt’s commitment to creating products that are as unique as the experience its customers provide to their guests.


US – Scientific Games names Karin-Joyce (KJ) Tjon as Chief Operating Officer and President. Her responsibilities will include oversight of the gaming and lottery operations and driving the company's organisational


strategy, business development and fiscal discipline.


Tjon will report directly to Scientific Games' Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sheehan, who said, "We have tremendous confidence in KJ's ability to lead our long-term growth strategy and execution, and continue the strong growth across all of our businesses. Her deep experience in international finance, performance accountability, and culture transformation will further enhance our ability to deliver for our customers, employees and our shareholders."


NEWSWIRE / INTERACTIVE / 247.COM P29


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