Bucks County community in Bensalem bans casino-style skill games with some exceptions
BENSALEM, Pennsylvania (WPVI) — Following a unanimous vote Monday night, skill games are now banned in Bensalem, Bucks County, with some exceptions. During a township council meeting, Public Safety Director William McVey, at the request of the mayor due to complaints from the public, said his department had been looking into the issue for two years. In 2023 there were 100 estimated skill games in businesses across the township. That number jumped to 170 in 2024, according to police. The games can be found in businesses like delis, restaurants, bars, and convenience stores. Police said the unregulated games threaten quality of life and public safety in Bensalem pointing to robberies, theft, and even drug use connected to the skill games. “We’ve seen a proliferation of these machines and all types of businesses and we’ve also seen it welcome a criminal element,” said McVey. There are exceptions to the new rule for businesses and clubs with active, state-issued liquor licenses. However, they’ll now have to monitor gaming areas with video surveillance and place them in areas visible to employees and not accessible to children. The Bensalem solicitor said the guidelines are designed to mirror a proposal currently in the state Senate, Senate Bill 1142. In response to Bensalem’s new ordinance, Mike Barley — a spokesman for PA Skill — issued the following statement to Action News: “Pennsylvania Skill is alarmed that Bensalem Twp. Supervisors would pass a measure that will hurt small family-owned businesses and fraternal clubs that benefit from the supplemental revenue from skill games. We take the welfare of the communities where our games are located seriously and agree that the number of illegal gambling machines cropping up in communities across the state is a problem. A ban that includes legal skill games, however, is not the answer. It only jeopardizes the livelihoods of small businesses and fraternal groups already struggling because of inflation and other economic issues. We advocate for what Gov. Josh Shapiro supports: skill game regulation and taxation legislation that will rid neighborhoods of illegal gambling machines, especially mini-casinos, without harming law-abiding business owners. The legislation also would provide tax revenue for the state to use on priorities such as transportation and mass transit. Considering that the council is basing its ordinance on a casino-written piece of legislation, Senate Bill 1142, this tells us all we need to know about who is driving this effort. This is about protecting an internationally-owned casino. We urge Bensalem Twp. to prioritize their local businesses and fraternal clubs and not Parx Casino.” “My answer to that is we’re doing this based on the public safety need for Bensalem Township, based on the data that we’ve had. I’ve seen a 40% increase of these machines in our township in one year,” McVey said in response. Anthony Ricciardi owns Ricciardi Mini Mart and Sunoco gas station in town with his family and six employees. He has four skill game machines he’ll now have to get rid of as his business doesn’t fall within any of the exceptions. He says he’s had no issues of violence or crime and calls the new ordinance a blow to his small business. “As a small family-owned convenience store we work off of small margins, tight margins on our products so it’s just one of those extra things that helps us with the bills and payroll,” Ricciardi said. He sparred with town leaders advocating for his business Monday night but leaders, including the Bucks County District Attorney, said the move was necessary. “We hear it all the time — victims of violent crimes always say, ‘I didn’t think it would happen to me until it did.’ And as much as he believes that his establishment is safe, we know criminals target these facilities, these establishments because they know they’re not regulated,” said Bucks County DA Jennifer Schorn. This ordinance is effective in 10 days. During this time the town will work to notify businesses they’re aware of that would be affected. The town also says they will not be seizing machines but rather fines and penalties could be enacted for non-compliance. The City of Philadelphia took similar action earlier this year citing similar reasons of crime and violence connected to skill games. Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved. Source link
Black soil before blackjack: Gateway looks to bring in fill for casino site
Environmental and traffic concerns discussed before council OK’d plan for new casino site in southern portion of Innisfil Innisfil council helped Gateway Casinos and Entertainment keep the odds in its favour for opening a new casino site in the southern portion of the municipality. Council agreed to allow Gateway, which also operates Casino Rama, to start bringing in fill to the site it purchased at 255 Reive Blvd., which could be home to a new casino before the end of the decade. What was unique about the endorsement was that site plan approval hasn’t been granted yet, nor have the parties received word whether the requested Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) will be approved by the provincial government. The site features “significant elevation changes which necessitate the need for importation of fill,” stated a letter from EXP, civil consultants retained by Gateway, that was included with the staff report for the Oct. 23 council meeting. “It was previously estimated by our Engineers that the property would need approximately +/- 109,500 cubic meters of fill to be brought on-site, for the development to be feasible,” the letter continued. The town isn’t the only governing body that will be required to sign off, staff indicated. “The proposal by Gateway to import material to the site meets the requirements for a site alteration permit under the current By-law. Furthermore, approval from the (Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority), as well as the (Ontario) Ministry of Tourism and Culture, will be obtained, and necessary securities will be collected prior to the commencement of any work,” the staff report on this issue stated. The conservation authority has approved the importation and stockpiling of fill, the report added, but not to spread it on site, town development engineering manager Devina Mohamed said during the meeting. The site alteration plan spells out how the fill be managed on-site, how erosion and sediment will be controlled, as well as a private water well survey, haul route plan and archaeological reports. Coun. Alex Waters wanted to ensure the importation of fill wouldn’t adversely affect the existing property and surrounding neighbourhoods. “When we originally passed the MZO, I asked specifically where they’re going to build and they said there was enough high land on the property that they wouldn’t have to touch the lands which have drainage areas in them,” Waters said. “I just want to confirm that the fill is not going to be in the regulated areas of drainage.” Waters was correct, Mohamed confirmed. “The preliminary grading plan shows that now work is proposed within the 30-metre setback of the flood line of that watercourse,” she said. “We have that level of comfort that no work will be within the flood plane, much less the setback.” She also added testing on the fill is done at its origin and then again once it arrives in Innisfil. How the fill would arrive in Innisfil was also discussed by council. Mohamed indicated as many as 11,000 truckloads would be required to move the fill to the Gateway site, taking about three to four months to complete. Coun, Kevin Eisses was concerned about what that might actually look like on area roads. “Will the applicant provide some traffic help at all times with the trucks as moving in?” he asked. “I know from past experiences these truck drivers, they get paid by the load, so they’re in quite a bit of a hurry to get back to the next one. For the majority of them, they do that well, but there’s always a small percentage that might want to take a shortcut through someone’s driveway.” Truckers will be forced to follow the haul route as outlined in the site application plan, Mohamed said. Currently, the only municipal road to be impacted will be Reive Boulevard, as the trucks will enter and exit the municipality via the Highway 89 exit at Highway 400. Trucks will also be staggered at the origin site of the fill to help control traffic, she added. That’s a section of road already used to heavy traffic, Mayor Lynn Dollin said, given the volume of vehicles using the exit to get to the Honda plant in Alliston. More importantly, no trucks are expected on Line 2, which is good news for residents and for the road itself. “That’s wonderful, because 2nd Line is not hard-surfaced, so it would not take that type of beating,” the mayor said. All costs associated with the permit are borne by the applicant, with no financial impact to the town. Source link
State audit calls Nebraska’s oversight of casinos ‘lackluster at best’
A report from the Nebraska Auditor of Public Accounts released Monday said the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission’s oversight of taxes is “lackluster at best but oftentimes completely nonexistent.” The report identified irregularities in the tax revenue received from each of the four racetrack casinos that have begun operations in the nearly four years since voters approved casino gambling in November 2020. “Without such a basic level of understanding, the commission was woefully unprepared to ensure, with any level of confidence, that the authorized gaming operators were paying the appropriate amount of gaming taxes,” the report said. The state’s four racetrack casinos generated nearly $20 million in taxes during the 2024 state fiscal year, and the audit found that the commission “failed to follow its own administrative rules and regulations, as well as neglected to review adequately the documentation received from authorized gaming operators to ensure that the state was receiving the proper amount of gaming tax revenue.” People are also reading… The audit also found issues with the travel expenses of several employees. Expectation vs. reality While the audit mentioned the fiscal year 2024 casino tax revenue, the examination was actually done on fiscal year 2023 revenue. In that year, the four casinos — WarHorse in Lincoln and Omaha, the Grand Island Casino Resort and Harrah’s Columbus Racing and Casino — paid just more than $17.8 million in tax revenue, about $100,000 less than they should have, according to the auditor’s office. The audit found that the two WarHorse casinos underpaid by nearly $300,000, while both Grand Island and Columbus had a higher tax revenue than expected with about $110,000 and $75,000 respectively. The report also noted that the Grand Island Resort Casino was audited by a CPA firm that was not licensed in the State of Nebraska. Additionally, the Columbus casino’s revenue was rounded to the millions, which could contribute to the difference noted in the audit. According to the audit report, there could be reasonable explanations for these variances, but the commission hasn’t made an effort to review the taxes received. Casey Ricketts, the executive director of the commission, said it appreciated the auditor’s office bringing all the issues to light. Ricketts Journal Star file photo “We had actually requested the auditors to come audit our agency, being a brand-new agency, so we had requested this,” Ricketts said. “Obviously we see that there are areas that we need to improve upon. We are committed to making the necessary changes, and we’d actually already begun implementing some of those changes.” Ricketts also said the commission will be following up with the auditor’s office in six months with all of its corrections. The audit also recommended that the commission work with the auditor’s office to find a legislative solution or transfer its responsibility to the state auditor. The commission isn’t looking at transferring any responsibility, but wants to have a good working relationship with the auditor’s office, Ricketts said. The auditor’s office highlighted a number of additional concerns, including that the commission did not seem to understand the information reported when it asked about the amounts on the weekly tax reports and the criteria used to generate the monthly gaming tax reports. The audit also expressed concern that the commission has not provided a review of its license fee structure in an annual report and that commission staff said they could not remember when an annual report was completed. The commission also could not provide documentation that quarterly reports were completed, according to the audit. The commission said in a response included in the report that it has expanded its team to review the documentation process. “Until June 2024, we relied on a single individual for all financial matters,” according to the response. “We are now collaborating with other jurisdictions to support our learning (of) gaming financials.” The commission also said it is reviewing changes to the titles referenced by the report, which the report said the commission violated. The commission also said it would submit its annual report to the governor’s office during the week of Oct. 21. Ricketts said the report has now been submitted. Vehicles and travel In addition to the tax revenue issues, the report also found discrepancies in the commission’s vehicle and travel expenses for several employees. The commission’s former Director of Enforcement Steven Anderson commuted in a state-owned vehicle, keeping it overnight, and was tracked by GPS as going to Walmart, a coffee shop and pawn shops, according to the report. Anderson gave the auditor’s office alternative reasons for the trips, like fueling the car or stopping for lunch. Anderson no longer works for the commission for reasons unrelated to the audit investigation, as of a month ago, Ricketts said. After Ricketts became interim director in March, she revoked the ability of employees to take the state-owned vehicle overnight and rescinded a request for the four vehicles leased by the commission to have regular license plates instead of the normal state plates used for a state-owned vehicle, according to the report. “I made the decision that we were no longer going to have take-home cars’” Ricketts said. “We now have pooled vehicles, so little changes like that, that were already previously addressed prior to the audit.” In addition to Anderson, the report named former Executive Director Tom Sage for his conference travel expenses. The audit listed eight conferences that Sage attended and listed three occasions where the former director stayed at a conference for extra days, incurring extra travel costs. Other employees also had expenditures for high lodging costs and other issues, according to the report. In March, the commission began implementing new policies and approval processes for conferences and trips and will not reimburse for non-work-related days or unapproved travel, according to the commission’s response in the audit. The report also mentioned the segregation of duties over revenues and issuance of licenses, expenditure issues, deposit support and other issues. Ricketts said that the travel and vehicle usage were issues her staff
Park Place Prime brings upscale steakhouse to Bally’s Casino — CDC Gaming
Monday, October 28, 2024 3:30 PM Image aggregated from Best of NJ. Stacey Feintuch, Best of NJ Email, LinkedIn, and more The popular board game Monopoly names its streets after those in Atlantic City. Park Place, in particular, is one of the board’s most memorable spaces. It is also the original name of the hotel that is now Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino. To pay homage to this history, the new upscale steakhouse at Bally’s is called Park Place Prime. Story continues below The restaurant opened as part of Bally’s 45th anniversary celebration. The interior provides a classic steakhouse look with contemporary finishes. Guests will find dark wood tones, straight edges, dim lighting, and crystal chandeliers. “We’re bringing back the hotel’s heyday with a modern feel,” says Chris Carmany, Park Place Prime general manager. “Our goal is to recapture that fondness.” Source link
Aristocrat awarded first gaming vendor licence in UAE
Aristocrat today (28 October) received the UAE’s first vendor licence from the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The supplier will be able to provide its land-based gaming machines, technology and online casino content to licensed operators. According to a press release, it will operate under the GCGRA’s Gaming Related Vendor licence. On 5 October, Wynn Resorts was awarded the first UAE commercial land-based casino gaming licence. Wynn is developing its Al Marjan Island Resort, located in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), UAE. Previously, Wynn said the project is scheduled to open in 2027. The operator has forecast the UAE gaming market to be worth $3-$5 billion. (£2.3-£3.9 billion/€2.8-€4.6 billion) For its property in RAK, it projects gross gaming revenue in the range of $1-$1.67 billion. The base expectation of $1.33 billion. Aristocrat gaming CEO Hector Fernandez said the company is “honoured to be the first large, international technology provider to be awarded a gaming-related vendor license to serve the UAE market.” “At Aristocrat, our vision is to deliver the best seat in the house wherever, and whenever the world plays. We look forward to doing so by providing premium content for players in the UAE while simultaneously encouraging responsible gameplay,” Fernandez said. The GCGRA was formed in September 2023 to oversee the regulation of gambling across the Emirates. In July it awarded the UAE’s only lottery licence to The Game LLC, to operate its national lottery. The regulator’s executive team and board consist of a number of familiar faces in gaming. Among them are former chairman and CEO for MGM Resorts Jim Murren and former Nevada Gaming Control Board chair Mark Lipparelli. MGM awaiting casino licence MGM Resorts said it also applied for a UAE casino licence on 20 September. At the time CEO Bill Hornbuckle said he expected to hear more on what the UAE regulator’s federal mandate and federal oversight would be later in the year. The operator has a UAE resort under development in Dubai. That is through a partnership with Hospitality and Leisure featuring the MGM, Bellagio and Aria brands and 1,500 hotel rooms. The deal dates back to 2017. “Dubai has not opined on [gaming] yet,” Hornbuckle said at the time. “I hope and believe we’ll hear more from Abu Dhabi later this year about the federal mandate and federal oversight and we’ll go from there.” Source link
VEGAS MYTHS BUSTED: Howard Hughes Lived in The Green House
Posted on: October 28, 2024, 09:00h. Last updated on: October 28, 2024, 07:20h. What makes this myth so pervasive, and difficult to challenge, is that it was started by an otherwise-reputable Las Vegas news organization. The Green House stands where it was built in 1951. Today, that’s on the grounds of a Las Vegas TV station at 3250 Channel 8 Drive, about a mile east of the Strip by Wynn Las Vegas. Its address is about to change, however. (Image: vintagelasvegas.com, inset: Turner Classic Movies) Recently, the Clark County Commission approved $1.5 million to relocate what is known to locals as “the Green House” (or “the Howard Hughes House”) from its current location to the Clark County Museum, 18 miles away in Henderson, due to its historic significance. The house has been identified over the years in dozens of news stories by KLAS-TV, Las Vegas’ CBS affiliate station, as the former home of the eccentric billionaire during the eight months he resided in Las Vegas from 1953 to 1954. But, according to Hughes’ closest surviving aide, that claim is entirely false. Dream House Featuring three bedrooms, two baths, a living room, kitchen and dining room, the Green House was built in 1951 as a bungalow for the Sun Villa Motel, later that decade known as the Blair House. The Green House is located in the parking lot of KLAS-TV. This angle looks down at the house from above the studio’s roof and parked news vans. (Image: Google Earth) Hughes leased it from the motel’s owners, James and Beatrice Fulcher, but only used it as an office. “He worked from there when he established the Howard Hughes Medical Institute,“ Paul Winn told Casino.org. “But he never spent a single night there.” Winn, 93, was employed by Hughes’ company from 1957 until 1989 — first as an operations secretary and eventually rising to director of corporate records. According to Winn, Hughes maintained a villa at the Flamingo for the entirety of his first stay in Las Vegas, to which he returned every night. Winn said this information came directly from Kay Glenn, who ran the office in the Green House for Hughes as his operations supervisor, and who later became one of Winn’s closest friends. Glenn — along with Bill Gay and Nadine Henley — constituted the innermost inner circle managing Hughes’ business and personal affairs. (In 2020, Glenn was the final member of that circle to pass away.) Howard Hughes lived in this mansion in LA’s Hancock Park from 1929 through 1942, selling it in 1946. (Image: Instagram/@weahomes) This version of events makes more sense anyway. From an oil company he inherited from his father, as well as his own financial successes in aviation, film production and real estate, Hughes was nearly Elon-Musk wealthy by the 1940s. His primary residence then was a 10,000 square-foot palace in LA that sold last year for $23 million. After his first Vegas sojourn, according to Winn, Hughes — known for flaunting his wealth — moved into three or four lavish bungalows at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Hughes was not going to slum it in anything as small and plain as the Green House. However, for his businesses, like most billionaires, he was happy to cut costs wherever he could. “Hughes was not even in the office a lot,” Winn said. “He was only there a little bit.” How Weird, Hughes When Hughes left Las Vegas for the first time — in 1954 at age 48 — he ordered the Green House sealed until his return. For whatever reason, he wanted everything meticulously preserved the way it was. Gay, later president of Hughes’ Summa Corporation, secured its doors and windows with tape, then painted over the tape with a sealer. All of Hughes’ aides were used to eccentric requests. The Green House is shown on the upper right in 1959. A bungalow adjacent to the Blair House motel at the time, it had already been sealed up by Howard Hughes aide Bill Gay. The highlighting and modern street names were added to the original photo by the Historic Vegas Project website. (Image: LA Public Library/historicvegasproject.com) In November 1966, Hughes indeed returned to Las Vegas, but never to the Green House. He kept leasing it — and kept it sealed — while living on the top two floors of the Desert Inn, which was only half a block away. In March 1968, Hughes purchased KLAS for $3.6 million ($24 million today) from Hank Greenspun, publisher of the Las Vegas Sun newspaper, who had founded the TV station in 1953. By then, the Green House happened to be located on the station’s property — in its parking lot, where it remains today. But that’s not why Hughes bought the station. (We’ll get to the reason in just a second, promise.) Hughes continued leasing the sealed Green House even after he left Las Vegas, for the last time, in 1970. In 1972, he finally purchased it, through his Hughes Tool Company. Why Hughes Bought KLAS See? We told you we’d get to it. Hughes bought the TV station just so he could dictate what movies it would play at night. Decades before VCRs were a thing, he wanted a way to control the movies he drifted off to at the Desert Inn. This seems like a myth but, like so much associated with Hughes, is not. In fact, sometimes, if there was any part of a movie Hughes wanted to watch again, he would have someone call the station manager to restart the movie. “I wasn’t there, but other people have told me this really happened,” Winn said, “and I don’t doubt it for a second.” Unseal Team A 1972 billboard welcomes Hughes back to Las Vegas. The eccentric billionaire had left two years earlier, and would never return. But it was wishful thinking on behalf of a town grateful to Hughes for liberating some of the casinos he owned from mafia control. The sign appears in
New Zealand’s groundbreaking move toward regulating online casinos
The New Zealand government has taken a significant step toward regulating its online casino industry, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s gambling landscape. As the popularity of online gambling grows, concerns about player protection, fair practices, and unregulated markets have emerged, prompting action from lawmakers. Globally, online gambling regulation has become a hot topic, and New Zealand’s move aligns it with other nations seeking to protect their citizens. This development is crucial, as it aims to create a safer, more transparent gaming environment while ensuring the government can better manage the industry. Overview of Gambling Laws in New Zealand New Zealand has a long history of gambling regulation, with laws evolving to address both land-based and online activities. Early regulations primarily focused on physical gambling venues like casinos and horse racing, but the rise of online gambling led to increased scrutiny in recent years. However, current laws do not directly regulate online casinos, leading many New Zealanders to turn to overseas operators. These operators often fall into a legal grey area, offering their services without facing strict oversight. Many of these offshore casino sites are covered by Online-Casinos.com, which provides reliable reviews and helps players navigate these unregulated platforms. The Gambling Act 2003 currently governs gambling in New Zealand, covering all forms of gambling, from lotteries to sports betting. This act sets clear guidelines for legal gambling activities while aiming to minimize harm and prevent underage gambling. The Rise of Online Casinos and the Need for Regulation The online casino market in New Zealand has experienced rapid growth, with many players opting for digital platforms due to their convenience and diverse game offerings. The dominance of online gambling is a global trend as players seek more accessible and engaging gaming experiences. However, the rise of online casinos has brought significant risks. Without local regulation, players are exposed to issues like problem gambling, fraud, and lack of consumer protection. This unregulated environment leaves players vulnerable to unethical practices. Regulating online casinos is crucial to safeguarding players, reducing financial crimes such as money laundering, and collecting tax revenue from operators benefiting from the New Zealand market. Key Elements of New Zealand’s Proposed Regulation New Zealand’s proposed regulation represents a major step toward controlling its online gambling industry. The key goals are to protect players from harm, ensure fairness, and generate tax revenue from online casino platforms, which will support public services and gambling-related initiatives. New rules will include mandatory licensing for operators who wish to serve New Zealand players. These licenses will ensure compliance with strict standards around fair play and security. Additionally, restrictions on advertising will prevent excessive promotion, especially to vulnerable groups. Player protection will be enhanced through measures like self-exclusion programs, responsible gambling tools, and support services for those facing addiction issues. Those new regulations are expected to be put into action by 2026. Challenges and Concerns in Implementing Regulation One of the major challenges New Zealand will face in regulating the online casino industry is monitoring foreign operators. Many international platforms serve New Zealand players from abroad, making it difficult to enforce local laws and compliance. There are also concerns from industry stakeholders and players about potential restrictions, such as limits on advertising or game access, which could reduce the appeal of certain platforms. Some foreign casinos may resist compliance due to the extra costs associated with licensing. The regulator of all sports betting and racing events in the country – the New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB), was replaced by the TAB NZ in 2020, and it would be the successor body to the NZRB. TAB NZ is expected to lead the industry through future changes. New Zealand can learn from countries like the UK, where similar regulations have improved player safety but also presented enforcement hurdles with offshore operators. The Impact of Regulation on Players and the Industry New Zealand’s efforts to regulate online gambling align with global trends in countries like the UK, Sweden, and Denmark. These nations have successfully implemented regulations to protect players while maintaining a fair, transparent industry, setting a precedent for others. By introducing a formal framework, New Zealand could potentially serve as a model for other countries struggling to balance player protection with the benefits of a regulated market. A projective of the expected earnings in the form of taxes shows a possible income of over NZ$170 million. This regulation promises greater consumer safety, clearer taxation structures, and more ethical practices while allowing New Zealand to remain competitive internationally. Conclusion: What’s Next for New Zealand’s Online Gambling Industry? New Zealand’s decision to regulate online gambling marks a pivotal moment for the industry’s future. By establishing a structured framework, the government aims to protect players, ensure fair play, and generate tax revenue while bringing the local market in line with international standards. The regulations promise safer gambling environments and better protection from harm for players. For operators, compliance will mean new challenges and greater market stability. The government, meanwhile, stands to gain from more controlled oversight of the industry. Further legal developments and legislative debates are expected as the framework is refined, with implementation likely to be phased in over the coming years. Source link
The full-faced gaming experience at Casino Elite online casino – London Business News
Casino Elite Online Casino has always been a leading casino site, which offers the best number of games and best services on the Internet. Providing the best possible slot, table and live dealer game selection, Casino Elite gives everyone an exceptional gaming experience. Let’s see why Casino Elite is considered to be the best option for new players as well as old. Play a variety of casino games One of the highlights of Casino Elite Online Casino is its selection of games. If you love the old-school slot machine or prefer the excitement of live dealer, Casino Elite has you covered. It houses titles by the most popular software developers and they have good graphics, easy gameplay and fair results for all the games. Slots: The lifeblood of casino gaming Casino Elite has several slot games that are available with a variety of themes and payout structures for those who like to play slots. With slot machines as high-variance as they are with more moderate ones, everything for all players. The casino constantly refreshes its slot selection, adding new games to keep your gameplay engaging and new. Table games for strategy fans And casino elite has something for those who love table games too with lots of old favorites, such as blackjack, poker, roulette, baccarat, and much more. There are different variations of table games so the players can take advantage of both the old and the new take on casino favorites. Casino Elite will satisfy your casino needs whether you want to challenge the house or try your luck on the multi-table. Live Casino: Bringing live action to your screen! If you prefer something more intense, the live casino area of Casino Elite Online Casino features real-time interaction with live dealers. … Experience a real casino without leaving your home and interact with actual dealers and other players. Blackjack, roulette and baccarat are some of the live games, which are streamed in high-definition for a real-life gambling experience. Bonuses and specials for new and existing customers Casino Elite not only provides an impressive game range, it also delivers on generous bonuses and promotions. Casinos offer new customers welcome bonuses, free spins and deposit matches to help increase their first bankroll. It doesn’t exclude re-sellers either, who get regular offers, rewards, and VIP points all added to the overall gameplay. Online banking secure and convenient banking services Casino Elite Online Casino has one thing in common with others and that is the security and convenience of banking. It’s available for many payment modes, such as credit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers. Thanks to top-level encryption systems, players can be assured that they’re protected at all times with transactions and personal data. End of story: Why Casino Elite is special? In short, Casino Elite Online Casino provides a balanced casino playing environment for every player. Casino Elite has it all, whether you’re after the fun of slots, the tactical sophistication of table games, or the action of dealer games. This top-notch game lineup, generous bonuses, and excellent security is no wonder Casino Elite has become one of the top choices for those who love online casinos. Please play responsibly. For more information and advice visit https://www.begambleaware.org Content is not intended for an audience under 18 years of age Source link
Casino Guru Awards 2025 Opens Nominations, Introduces New Categories and Live Ceremony in Malta
Casino Guru has launched the 3rd annual Casino Guru Awards, with nominations now open and a new live ceremony planned for June 6, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in St. Julian’s, Malta. This year’s event, designed to recognize excellence in the igaming sector, will continue to emphasize transparency, social responsibility, and positive industry contributions, adding two new award categories and a public voting component. Following two successful years, the 2025 Casino Guru Awards aim to uphold high standards of fairness within the igaming industry. New to this year’s event are the “Players’ Choice” and “iGaming Changemaker of the Year” categories: Players’ Choice: This category invites the public to vote for their favorite game provider from a shortlist developed by Casino Guru experts. The winner will be determined solely by public vote, reflecting player preferences and trust without external influence. iGaming Changemaker of the Year: This category will recognize individuals demonstrating outstanding influence and leadership in igaming, with nominations highlighting impactful initiatives and success stories within the industry. In addition to the new categories, the awards will cover familiar territory, honoring contributions across areas such as bonus policy fairness, transparency, social responsibility, responsible gambling tools, and ethical marketing practices. Nominations for all categories remain open until February 28, 2025, after which shortlisting will take place. Voting for “Players’ Choice” and “Voice of the People” will open shortly after. For the first time, the awards will be celebrated in person with a gala event at the Hilton Hotel in Malta. Attendees will enjoy a three-course dinner and drinks, followed by an after-party at Level 22 in the Portomaso Business Tower, offering panoramic views of St. Julian’s. The evening promises to bring together shortlisted companies, judges, media partners, sponsors, and industry leaders for a night of networking, recognition, and celebration. Daniela Sliva, PR & Creative Project Director at Casino Guru, leader of the Casino Guru Awards project, shared her excitement for the upcoming ceremony: “Launching the third edition with a live event in Malta is a thrilling milestone for Casino Guru Awards. Each year, we see more incredible work from industry pioneers, and this year, we look forward to honoring them in person. We believe this live event will capture the spirit of excellence and innovation in iGaming, and we’re excited to create an unforgettable evening for our nominees and guests.” Source link
New Hampshire’s Concord Casino Charged for Alleged Theft
Posted on: October 28, 2024, 02:18h. Last updated on: October 28, 2024, 02:18h. The company that runs New Hampshire’s embattled Concord Casino is now facing a charge following a state investigation. New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella, pictured above. His office filed charges against Concord Casino. (Image: InDepthNH.org) Win Win Win was charged with theft by deception and theft by unauthorized taking, New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella revealed on Friday. Earlier this month, casino owner Andy Sanborn was arrested for the same counts. He’s scheduled to appear in Merrimack County Superior Court on Tuesday. The casino allegedly inflated losses and wound up improperly receiving $188,474 more than it should have from state funds, according to New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR). In addition, casino documents gave the wrong date of when it began in business, the report added. If the casino is convicted, it could lead to the charitable gaming property being unable to receive a license for a decade, according to NHPR. That possibility could hurt any sale of the casino to a new buyer, the report added. Trying to Block Sale? Zachary Hafer, an attorney representing Sanborn, accused the state of attempting to block the casino’s sale. “Given that Win Win Win is a single-member LLC whose single member is Mr. Sanborn, the Attorney General cannot (and does not) allege that Win Win Win took any action distinct from Mr. Sanborn,” Hafer told NHPR. There is thus only one reason to charge Win Win Win: to attempt to block a sale of Win Win Win that would benefit taxpayers, charities, and the local community. This is a deeply concerning development and we look forward to holding the AG accountable in court.” The unnamed likely casino buyer reportedly has applied for a license to operate the gaming property. Prior Inquiry In a prior investigation, the attorney general’s office claimed Sanborn failed to say the business was a casino when applying for pandemic relief. Casinos were not eligible to receive the approximately $844K in loans Sanborn received for COVID relief. Sanborn used some of the federal money on two Porsches and a Ferrari. The Ferrari was for his wife, Laurie Sanborn, a state representative, authorities said. No charges were filed for that investigation. But the New Hampshire Lottery Commission suspended the gaming license and the business was ordered to close. State officials have told Andy Sanborn to sell the Concord Casino. He has requested extensions to complete the sale. Sanborn is also currently attempting to open a second casino in Concord. Plans call for a 43K-square-foot gaming property. The proposed casino was challenged in court by local resident Kassey Cameron, who claimed the project violated local zoning regulations and that it was improperly approved. That case is being heard by the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Source link
