Wynn announces second Macau resort
Wynn Resorts is planning a second hotel development next to its newly opened casino in Macau. The casino company said that the new hotel would be part of a 'fine-tuning strategy' in its $1.2 billion project in the Chinese enclave.
Bwin reports 50m loss
Austrian gaming group Bwin Interactive has reported a net loss of 49.8 million eur for the first nine months of 2006, compared with a 1.4 million profit for the same period last year. The company attributed the loss to depreciation, expensive marketing contracts with football clubs including AC Milan and marketing campaigns ahead of this year's World Cup tournament.
Simmonds urges licensees to send opinions to DCMS
Business in Sport and Leisure's chief executive Brigid Simmonds has urged pub licensees to voice their opinion to the DCMS about the planned rise in costs for gaming machines. She said that opponents of the hike should call for a more realistic option before the 22 December consultation deadline arrives.
Astra announces structural changes
Novomatic's Astra Games has announced two structural changes as part its preparation for 2007. Clive Barret has joined the group as General Manager, while marketing executive Richard Barr will take responsibility for sales of Novo Casino UK.
'Air' Jordan linked to casino development
State regulators in Philadelphia were told that ex- NBA superstar Michael Jordan would become an investor in a new casino development on the city's Delaware River if they won the license. Pinnacle Entertainment said that partner Robert Johnson had agreed to sell a part of his stake to basketball executive Jordan to help improve its 'draw'.
Polish strong man wins award
Polish manufacturer X-Line Ltd has won the prize for innovation at the Machines Fair in Warsaw for its new 'Strong-Man' arm-wrestling machine. Produced in collaboration with researchers from the Silesian Technical University, the electronic machine includes an automation design with over 80 lighting points and sound messages in seven languages. X-Line will be showing the Strong Man at ATEI in January.
ATEI exhibitors top 200
Last Thursday's Gaming Industry News carried a story incorrectly citing the number of exhibitors confirmed for ATEI 2007. The actual figures, as of the end of October, should have read 212 unique companies - of which just under half (105) are drawn from 23 countries outside the United Kingdom. G.I.N.'s editorial team apologises for the error. Registration is free.
Danish amusement park submits hotel plan
The Danish Trivoli amusement park in Copenhagen has submitted plans to build a 335-foot luxury hotel tower designed by British architect Lord Norman Foster. It said the project was an attempt to move the park away from being a seasonal resort to an all-year round business.
Samvo signs agreement with Betbrokers
UK-based retail and wholesale brokerage Betbrokers has signed a counterparty agreement with Asian-focused bookmaker Samvo Entertainment. Under the terms of the agreement, Betbrokers will be able to place bets with Samvo on behalf of its retail and wholesale clients, whilst providing Samvo with access to Betbrokers' services to help to square their books.
Tony G donates half winnings to charity
Professional poker player Tony 'G' Guoga has donated half of his first place $451,700 Betfair Asian Poker Tour prize to charity. Guoga said: " This is not a large amount compared to what people like Bill Gates give to charity but it is a gesture to show that pokers not all about the money. "
Admiral purchases 155 pubs from Green King
Admiral Taverns has agreed to purchase 155 pubs from operator Greene King for £56.5 million. The properties, 140 of which are tenanted and 15 managed, are located mainly in the south of England and will take Admiral's total portfolio of premises to 1,950.
Ladbrokes results shows fall-out from Champions League
Ladbrokes said they remained optimistic despite posting an 8 per cent increase in total gross profit for the first 10 months of 2006, a slowdown from the 12 per cent reported in the first-half of the year. Chief Executive Chris Bell blamed the results on the Champions League results in October, which saw all the favourites win over a three-day stretch.
DCMS opposed to levy extension
Government sources cited in The Guardian newspaper claimed that the Department of Culture, Media and Sport remained 'fundamentally opposed' to extending a levy forcing bookmakers to contribute a portion of its non-racing revenue to sport. The report also said that sports minister Richard Caborn would support a voluntary contribution from the betting industry.
Goldman Sachs in potential Tote bid
Private equity firm Principal Investment Area could be about to bid around £400 million for the UK government-owned Tote bookmakers according to a report in the Sunday Express newspaper. Principal, which is part of the investment firm Goldman Sach's, will likely offer more than the £405 million bid tabled by Gala Coral.
Fife clubs start taxation petition
Bingo clubs in Fife, Scotland are calling on the public to sign a petition asking Chancellor Gordon Brown to bring bingo taxation in line with other gaming activities. Kirkcaldy's Premier Bingo club, which is spearheading the initiative, called the campaign a bid to save the country's independent halls.
Fairground sells Spin Palace
Fairground Gaming Holdings has sold its gaming group and infrastructure, The Spin Palace Group, back to original vendor Seahouse Holdings in an £11 million deal. Seahouse will pay £5 million in cash, with the remaining £6 million funded by the reclassification of 9.1 million ordinary shares in Fairground Gaming into deferred shares.
ICE announce maiden exhibitors
January's ICE 2007 show at the Earl's Court exhibition centre in London has added 28 new companies from 19 different countries to its list of confirmed exhibitors, which now stands at 164. French company Caro Developpement leads all newcomers in floor space with a 201.8 sqm stand, while organisers announced exhibitors from countries as far a field as Slovenia, South Africa, Taiwan and Kazakhstan. Registration is free.