Both sides of Arkansas Casino Amendment pushing for votes
Both sides of Arkansas Casino Amendment pushing for votes Issue 2 will decide the fate of a new casino in Russellville Updated: 9:21 PM CDT Oct 23, 2024 >> THIS IS A PART OF THE AREA RIGHT OFF OF INTERSTATE 40 IN RUSSELLVILLE. THAT WILL BE USED FOR THAT NEW CASINO RESORT. THE PEOPLE BEHIND ISSUE TWO SAY THAT THE PROJECT HAS NOT STARTED YET, BUT THE PEOPLE AGAINST ISSUE TWO SAY THE PROJECT IS ALREADY IN MOTION. IF THE ISSUE IS APPROVED, CONSTRUCTION WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT IF IT IS VOTED DOWN, CONSTRUCTION ON THE CASINO WILL CONTINUE. >> ISSUE TWO AFFECTS REAL PEOPLE, REAL JOBS, AND A REAL PROJECT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN POLK COUNTY. >> AS EARLY VOTING STARTS, BOTH SIDES BEHIND ISSUE TWO ARE PUSHING FOR VOTES. >> IT’S NOT ABOUT JOBS AND REVENUE. NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE IMPACTED BY ISSUE TWO BECAUSE EXISTING CASINOS, EXISTING REVENUE STREAMS, EXISTING JOBS, NONE OF THAT IS TOUCHED BY ISSUE TWO. >> IF ISSUE TWO IS APPROVED, IT WILL STOP THE PLANS TO BUILD A NEW CASINO RESORT IN POLK COUNTY NEAR RUSSELLVILLE. >> I DON’T THINK IT’S GOOD FOR THE COUNTY. I DON’T THINK IT’S GOOD FOR THE ECONOMICS OF THE OF THE AREA. >> IT’S ABOUT ALL THESE OTHER THINGS THAT THEY COULD BRING TO OUR COMMUNITY BUSINESS FOR NOT JUST PEOPLE, FOR GAMBLING, BUT ALSO FOR FAMILIES THAT JUST DON’T WANT TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DO THAT. >> IF APPROVED, IT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE VOTER APPROVAL IN A STATEWIDE ELECTION. THEN A COUNTY ELECTION IN ORDER TO BUILD A NEW CASINO IN THE FUTURE. >> ARKANSANS SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND MAKE THE FINAL DECISION ON CASINOS IN THEIR OWN COUNTIES. AND ISSUE TWO GIVES THEM THAT POWER. >> IF IT’S VOTED DOWN, THE CASINO RESORT WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP. >> THERE’S REAL EMPLOYEES WHOSE LIVELIHOODS ARE AT STAKE, AND I WANTED TO BRING THAT TO PEOPLE’S ATTENTION IN 2018, VOTERS IN ARKANSAS APPROVED AN ISSUE THAT GAVE FOUR CASINOS AN OFFICIAL LICENSE TO BE BUILT THROUGHOUT THE STATE. >> THIS CASINO IN RUSSELLVILLE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE THE FOURTH ONE AFTER IT GOT ITS OFFICIAL LICENSING BACK IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR I Both sides of Arkansas Casino Amendment pushing for votes Issue 2 will decide the fate of a new casino in Russellville Updated: 9:21 PM CDT Oct 23, 2024 Both sides of the Arkansas Casino Amendment also known as Issue 2 are pushing for votes ahead of election day in Arkansas. If the issue is approved it would stop the development of a new casino and resort in Pope County near Russellville. If approved it would also require future casinos to be passed in statewide and county-wide elections. If it is voted down, the casino and resort will continue to be built and developed. Polk County Judge Ben Cross says development has already started. “Issue 2 affects real people, real jobs and a real project of economic development in Polk County,” Cross said. Hans Stiritz with Local Voters in Charge says the project does not exist yet. “It’s not about jobs and revenue, none of those things are impacted by issue two,” Stiritz said. “None of that is touched by issue two.” RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. — Both sides of the Arkansas Casino Amendment also known as Issue 2 are pushing for votes ahead of election day in Arkansas. If the issue is approved it would stop the development of a new casino and resort in Pope County near Russellville. If approved it would also require future casinos to be passed in statewide and county-wide elections. If it is voted down, the casino and resort will continue to be built and developed. Polk County Judge Ben Cross says development has already started. “Issue 2 affects real people, real jobs and a real project of economic development in Polk County,” Cross said. Hans Stiritz with Local Voters in Charge says the project does not exist yet. “It’s not about jobs and revenue, none of those things are impacted by issue two,” Stiritz said. “None of that is touched by issue two.” Source link
Casino regulator rolls over on The Star, Sydney
The Australian casino industry was thrust into the unwanted regulatory spotlight in 2021 when James Packer’s glittering Crown was scorched by the Bergin Inquiry, which uncovered a business model based on Chinese junkets, predatory business planning, money laundering and links to organised crime. The inquiry contagion quickly spread to Packer’s only mainland rival, Star Entertainment Group, which has casinos in Gadigal Country/Sydney, Magan-djin/Brisbane and Kombumerri/Gold Coast. The casino regulator, NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC), announced in September 2021 it would conduct a review of The Star and its Sydney operation. The review, activated under sections 30 and 143 of the Casino Control Act 1992, began in November 2021, under Adam Bell SC. The first Bell report, in August 2022, found The Star, Sydney was also unsuitable to hold a casino licence in NSW, parading a line-up of all the usual suspects, revealing egregious violations of the Anti Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) Act, disregard of responsible gambling and high risk vulnerable customer controls and was scathing of the corporate culture of open disdain for rules and regulations. Consequently, on October 17, 2022, the NICC announced it had suspended The Star, Sydney’s licence indefinitely, issued a fine of $100 million and appointed Nicholas Weeks as manager for 90 days, later extended to January 2024, allowing the operation to stay open. Previously Chief Operating Officer of the National Rugby League, Weeks took a redundancy in 2021 and was immediately hired by Crown to manage its regulatory response to the Bergin Inquiry. The Star, Sydney then endured two years of upheaval, yet despite extensive remediation plans, progress was so slow that, last February a second Bell Inquiry was announced. The Bell Two report was released on August 30. Bell Two found The Star, Sydney still unfit to hold a casino licence and identified additional serious compliance breaches. The NICC issued it with a “show cause” notice, giving it 14 days to explain why its casino licence should not be torn up. The Commission said: “The notice relates to four significant breaches … including … a cash fraud against The Star, a failure to run source of wealth checks on hundreds of members flagged as high risk, and fraudulent guest welfare entries that put already vulnerable customers at higher risk of harm.” There were serious breaches of three-hour limits on patrons gambling without a break, as well as the cash fraud worth $3.2 million relating to a “ticket in, cash out” software glitch that allowed Star clients to claim funds they had not won. It became obvious in a public hearing on April 15 why rehabilitation had been so slow. Prosecutors presented communications between then Star Chairman David Foster and former CEO Robbie Cooke outlining their desire to oust Weeks, who the NICC had appointed manager in 2022 to oversee The Star, Sydney’s redemption. Discussions on how to get rid of him, included possible legal action against Weeks personally and against the NICC, canvassing options for shareholder class actions over the inevitable revenue write downs. It was a Bergin-like bombshell which, Weeks said, took him “by surprise”. Foster and Cooke were quickly dumped but it was too little, too late. Win some, lose (way) more It was starting to look like, this time, The Star, Sydney, might not get away with it. By September 27, its share price had slumped by more than 50% to a record low as it resumed trading the day after posting a second straight multi-billion-dollar annual loss, wiping $1.4 billion from the value its three casinos. Now in serious financial trouble, the company blamed “challenging trading conditions” and regulatory changes — including mandatory cashless gambling. The Star, Sydney is also facing similar suspensions and fines in Queensland, with AUSTRAC launching Federal Court proceedings over its connection to Chinese junket operators. Star told the ASX it would continue to work with stakeholder and advisers about its financial condition. “These discussions are ongoing and involve, among others, state governments, regulators and the company’s lenders,” it said. On October 10, the NICC announced the outcome of those discussions and its decision on Star’s show cause notice and licence suspension. With a now or never opportunity to force real reform of great community benefit, the NICC decided not to suspend Star’s licence, citing a potential 9000 job losses across three venues and damage to associated businesses if Star went under. The NICC ruled that keeping Star operating was “in the public interest”. NICC Chief Commissioner Crawford said, without a hint of irony, “It would be a very, very final act to take the licence away, particularly given the current economic times”. While The Star, Sydney’s licence remains suspended, the fine was reduced to a small change $15 million (with nine months to pay). It has been given another extension to operate until next March 31, coinciding with the end of Weeks’ current term. The NICC response indicates that these parasitic operations will never be shut down, the regulator having squandered the single, fleeting opportunity to force real reform. The whole affair has again shown corporate criminals just how much they can get away with and how little governments and regulators really care about the ordinary people, whose communities continue to pay the price. [Suzanne James is a policy, governance, risk management and compliance consultant.] Source link
Fashion show mall pushes out Casino Quest, co-founders claim | Casinos & Gaming
A popular Las Vegas Strip experience that teaches people how to play casino games has allegedly been forced out of its retail space inside a mall. As of Oct. 15, Casino Quest is no longer in the Fashion Show Mall. An off-strip Casino Quest location at the Casino Training Center on Sahara Avenue is open. Casino Quest’s co-founders posted a one-hour-and-nineteen-minute video on YouTube last week in which they claim the mall’s management company, Brookfield Properties, pushed the business out of Fashion Show. In a since-amended post on its business website, Casino Quest said Brookfield reneged on a deal for a new concept that had been negotiated over several years. Brookfield Properties did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to Casino Quest’s owners, the two sides had been discussing an open-space casino games school concept to supplant the retail store for years and had reached an agreement in principle. Within the last few months, the property management’s position on the concept changed and Casino Quest was evicted from Fashion Show ahead of the agreed-upon time frame, the business’s ownership claims. On Wednesday, David Noll, chief executive and co-founder of Casino Quest, said he has been in contact with Brookfield representatives twice in the last eight days. While Noll said he and his partner, Alex Kim, president and co-founder of Casino Quest, are open to an amicable resolution that could still potentially see the unrealized common area Casino Quest experience come to fruition at Fashion Show, he felt compelled to tell their side of the story. “We did a YouTube video explaining because we have a big social media platform that literally drives our business. That’s the thing that’s escalated the school. That’s the thing that’s built our business. (So) we had to.” In less than six days, the YouTube video has over 17,000 views on the CEG Dealer School page. Noll and Kim also operate the CEG Dealer School at the Casino Training Center on Sahara. The 10,000-square-foot space is considerably larger than the 4,800-square-foot retail footprint Casino Quest had inside Fashion Show. “It’s actually worked out a little better for us, strangely,” Noll said. “We haven’t lost anything. In fact, almost all of our customers have transferred.” Casino Quest launched in 2019 as a pop-up event at Fashion Show. The premise was straightforward — allow people to learn the rules and basic strategies of casino table games without risking real money. The brand’s exposure grew during the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of its online tutorials teaching the ins-and-outs of casino table games. The Casino Quest and CEG Dealer School YouTube pages have a combined subscriber count of more than 406,000. David Danzis can be contacted at ddanzis@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0378. Follow AC2Vegas_Danzis on X. Source link
Ogallala City Council votes on rezoning land for potential casino and racetrack
NORTH PLATTE, Neb. (KNOP) – The Ogallala City Council has been looking to rezone land for a new casino. It comes after the planning commission voted against the proposal earlier this month. The council did their best to explain how the process would affect the potential of a casino coming to the area. President of the Ogallala City Council, Steven Krajewski, mentioned the impact their decision would have in further discussion on the topic. “The issue the council is about to consider is not approaching or denying the casino, but instead, a change of zoning for a specific property from an A1 agricultural district to a C4 business district. However, I believe we all know, the action taken tonight is precedent to all other future actions the council may take regarding post casino racetrack, that may or may not occur,” Krajewski said. Some attendees were waiting outside for their turn to give comments on the rezoning, the city council allowing those in favor of the proposal to speak first as they provided insight about the positive outcomes the horse race track and casino would bring to the community. Keith County attorney and business owner, Randy Fair, attended the meeting to support the rezoning of land. “If you think about the layout of the zoning it’s clearly within the clear view of what should take place, it’s contingent to the other commercial properties, so let’s let visitors help pay for the things in our county that we enjoy, our services. Let’s do the right thing for our community and future growth. I’d ask that you approve the zoning,” Fair said. Homeowners Melissa and Jason Veith attended to represent themselves and a host of other residents who would be directly affected by the change. They citied disruption of quiet neighborhoods, gambling addiction sex trafficking and overall higher crime rates as consequences of approving the proposal. “Rezoning this area would introduce large buildings, more concrete, heavier traffic, which does bring the risk of more accidents, and an infrastructure that would disrupt the fabric of our neighborhood. Ogallala’s comprehensive plan also states that they inspire to create a community of choice for Western Nebraska. Rezoning this land contradicts that vision. I ask the council to consider the long term impacts protect both our agricultural heritage and the quiet close-knit nature of our neighborhood on Road West 80,” Melissa said. After hearing from both sides and careful consideration. The Ogallala City Council voting in favor of the rezoning in a vote of 4-1. Click here to subscribe to our KNOP News 2 daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox. Copyright 2024 KNOP. All rights reserved. Source link
Mohegan outlines recent ramp of Korean resort INSPIRE with record casino drop, visitation in August – IAG
US-based tribal casino operator Mohegan has outlined the continued ramp of its Korean integrated resort, Mohegan INSPIRE, which saw casino visitation move above 30,000 for the first time in August with hotel occupancy of almost 90%. The update formed part of an Investor Day on Wednesday, with the company providing month-by-month details of INSPIRE’s historical KPI performance. The performance includes a three-fold increase in casino visitation from 10,771 in February to a record 30,729 in August, while hotel occupancy climbed from 58.3% to 89.7% over the same period. Mass and premium mass table drop also jumped from US$30.3 million in February to US$85.2 million with drop for the September 2024 quarter reaching US$224.2 million. Mohegan said the number of people in its Player Rewards database now sits at 93,075. The company has previously stated its expectation that the US$1.6 billion INSPIRE will become EBITDA positive within this year, having opened its doors last November and its casino in early February 2024. Last year’s soft opening also included some hotel capacity, MICE and signature restaurants, while the INSPIRE Mall, outdoor experiential space, international food court, immersive content exhibition hall and indoor children’s playground have all opened gradually throughout 2024. Source link
Aurora officials give update on progress of casino project
Aurora officials gave high marks this week to Hollywood Casino-Aurora for both the progress being made at its new casino resort site and for the use of local contractors on the project. Standing among the gravel on a makeshift stage in front of the beginnings of a large parking garage at the site, Mayor Richard Irvin said “Hollywood is stepping up big” in Aurora, by building the tallest building in the city since 1974, having already passed 350 inspections, using local contractors and putting up one of the largest casinos in the country outside Las Vegas. Irvin was part of a city update on the casino project at Farnsworth Avenue and Bilter Road on the northeast side, one of several the mayor promised as the project proceeds. “We are making exceptional progress,” Irvin said. “This will be something we can be proud of.” To accent that, representatives of companies Viking Brothers, Inc., a trucking firm; ATMI Precast, a precast concrete firm; and Olsson Roofing Company, Inc. spoke about how positive the experience of working on the project has been. “They have a great team out here, running this,” said Jake Armbruster, of ATMI Precast, bringing all of the people his company has working on the project up to the makeshift stage. “We are contributing to the redevelopment of our city, and we’re proud to be a part of it.” Mike Reynolds, a born and bred Auroran, said his company, Olsson Roofing, based on the city’s southwest side, is 110 years old this year. “We’re so proud to be part of such as landmark project,” he said. Greg Moore, vice president and CEO of Hollywood Casino-Aurora, said the company is holding another fair in November to find more local businesses to work with on the project. He said the good weather has allowed the casino project to proceed well, and company officials are still looking at the first half of 2026 for the grand opening. “We’re giving ourselves a little wiggle room,” he said, “depending on how the winters treat us.” slord@tribpub.com Source link
Monarch Casino & Resort Reports Record Third Quarter 2024 Net Revenue and Net Income
Monarch Casino & Resort (NASDAQ: MCRI) reported strong Q3 2024 results with record net revenue of $137.9 million, up 3.7% year-over-year, and net income of $27.6 million, increasing 14.2%. Casino and hotel revenues grew by 3.4% and 5.0% respectively, while food and beverage revenue slightly decreased by 0.2%. The company achieved Adjusted EBITDA of $50.6 million, a 2.9% increase. Diluted earnings per share rose 19.5% to $1.47. The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per share, payable December 15, 2024. During Q3, Monarch purchased 131,285 shares for $9.6 million and maintained a strong balance sheet with $39.4 million in cash. Monarch Casino & Resort (NASDAQ: MCRI) ha riportato risultati solidi per il terzo trimestre del 2024, con entrate nette record di 137,9 milioni di dollari, in aumento del 3,7% rispetto all’anno precedente, e un utile netto di 27,6 milioni di dollari, in crescita del 14,2%. I ricavi del casinò e dell’hotel sono cresciuti rispettivamente del 3,4% e del 5,0%, mentre i ricavi da cibo e bevande sono leggermente diminuiti dello 0,2%. L’azienda ha raggiunto un EBITDA rettificato di 50,6 milioni di dollari, con un incremento del 2,9%. Gli utili per azione diluiti sono aumentati del 19,5% a 1,47 dollari. L’azienda ha dichiarato un dividendo in contante trimestrale di 0,30 dollari per azione, pagabile il 15 dicembre 2024. Durante il terzo trimestre, Monarch ha acquistato 131.285 azioni per 9,6 milioni di dollari e ha mantenuto un bilancio solido con 39,4 milioni di dollari in contanti. Monarch Casino & Resort (NASDAQ: MCRI) reportó resultados sólidos en el tercer trimestre de 2024, con ingresos netos récord de 137.9 millones de dólares, un aumento del 3.7% interanual, y una ganancia neta de 27.6 millones de dólares, lo que representa un crecimiento del 14.2%. Los ingresos del casino y del hotel crecieron un 3.4% y un 5.0% respectivamente, mientras que los ingresos por alimentos y bebidas disminuyeron levemente en un 0.2%. La compañía logró un EBITDA ajustado de 50.6 millones de dólares, un aumento del 2.9%. Las ganancias por acción diluidas aumentaron un 19.5% hasta 1.47 dólares. La compañía declaró un dividendo en efectivo trimestral de 0.30 dólares por acción, pagadero el 15 de diciembre de 2024. Durante el tercer trimestre, Monarch compró 131,285 acciones por 9.6 millones de dólares y mantuvo un sólido balance con 39.4 millones de dólares en efectivo. 모나크 카지노 & 리조트 (NASDAQ: MCRI)는 2024년 3분기 실적이 호조를 보이며, 기록적인 순수익 1억 3,790만 달러를 보고했습니다. 이는 전년 대비 3.7% 증가한 수치이며, 순이익은 2,760만 달러로 14.2% 증가했습니다. 카지노와 호텔 수익은 각각 3.4%와 5.0% 성장했으며, 음식과 음료 수익은 0.2% 소폭 감소했습니다. 회사는 5,060만 달러의 조정된 EBITDA를 기록하였고, 이는 2.9% 증가한 수치입니다. 희석 주당 순이익은 19.5% 증가한 1.47 달러로 집계되었습니다. 회사는 주당 0.30 달러의 분기 현금 배당금을 선언했으며, 이는 2024년 12월 15일에 지급될 예정입니다. 3분기 동안 모나크는 96만 달러에 131,285주를 매입하였고, 3,940만 달러의 현금을 보유하며 강력한 재무 상태를 유지했습니다. Monarch Casino & Resort (NASDAQ: MCRI) a annoncé de bons résultats pour le troisième trimestre 2024, avec des revenus nets record de 137,9 millions de dollars, en hausse de 3,7 % par rapport à l’année précédente, et un bénéfice net de 27,6 millions de dollars, en augmentation de 14,2 %. Les revenus des casinos et des hôtels ont augmenté respectivement de 3,4 % et de 5,0 %, tandis que les revenus de la restauration et des boissons ont légèrement diminué de 0,2 %. L’entreprise a atteint un EBITDA ajusté de 50,6 millions de dollars, soit une hausse de 2,9 %. Le bénéfice net par action diluée a augmenté de 19,5 % pour atteindre 1,47 dollar. L’entreprise a déclaré un dividende en espèces trimestriel de 0,30 dollar par action, payable le 15 décembre 2024. Au cours du troisième trimestre, Monarch a acheté 131 285 actions pour 9,6 millions de dollars et a maintenu un solide bilan avec 39,4 millions de dollars en cash. Monarch Casino & Resort (NASDAQ: MCRI) meldete starke Ergebnisse für das dritte Quartal 2024 mit einem Rekord netto Umsatz von 137,9 Millionen Dollar, ein Anstieg von 3,7% im Vergleich zum Vorjahr, und einem Nettogewinn von 27,6 Millionen Dollar, der um 14,2% zunahm. Die Einnahmen aus dem Casino und dem Hotel wuchsen um 3,4% bzw. 5,0%, während die Umsätze aus Speisen und Getränken um 0,2% leicht zurückgingen. Das Unternehmen erzielte ein bereinigtes EBITDA von 50,6 Millionen Dollar, ein Anstieg von 2,9%. Der verwässerte Gewinn pro Aktie stieg um 19,5% auf 1,47 Dollar. Das Unternehmen erklärte eine vierteljährliche Barausschüttung von 0,30 Dollar pro Aktie, die am 15. Dezember 2024 zahlbar ist. Im dritten Quartal kaufte Monarch 131.285 Aktien für 9,6 Millionen Dollar und hielt eine starke Bilanz mit 39,4 Millionen Dollar in bar. Positive Record Q3 net revenue of $137.9 million, up 3.7% YoY Net income increased 14.2% to $27.6 million Diluted EPS grew 19.5% to $1.47 Casino revenue increased 3.4% and hotel revenue up 5.0% Strong balance sheet with $39.4 million cash position Continued share buyback program with $9.6 million in repurchases Negative Food and beverage revenue decreased 0.2% YoY Casino operating expenses increased to 36.3% from 34.5% YoY F&B operating expenses rose to 72.8% from 70.8% YoY Insights The Q3 2024 results demonstrate solid financial performance with $137.9 million in net revenue, up 3.7% YoY and net income growth of 14.2% to $27.6 million. Notable strengths include improved hotel performance and efficient cost management in the hotel segment. The company maintains a strong balance sheet with $39.4 million in cash and minimal debt of $7.0 million. Key positive indicators include: Diluted EPS growth of 19.5% to $1.47Consistent dividend payment of $0.30 per shareStrategic share buyback of 131,285 shares worth $9.6 millionHowever, rising operational costs in casino and F&B segments warrant attention, with casino operating expenses increasing to 36.3% of revenue and F&B costs rising to 72.8%. 10/23/2024 – 04:02 PM Declares Cash Dividend of $0.30
Man accused of stabbing at Red Rock Casino reaches plea agreement
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A man accused of stabbing two people at Red Rock Casino back in August has reached a plea agreement. Court records show that Shayne Sussman has agreed to an Alford Plea with prosecutors. That means he doesn’t admit that he is guilty but does agree that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him. The incident happened on August 3 around 1 a.m. Police say Sussman was at the casino for a concert and that he proceeded to “get plastered”. Joel Pesola, a casino maintenance worker, propped open a door to an employees-only area in order to move machinery. That’s when he told a grand jury that he was attacked. “I went to look at something on the machine and, out of nowhere, he was coming toward me and before I could react, he was hovering over me, hitting me with both arms,” Pesola said. “I certainly didn’t feel the first two stab wounds. It took me a lot of time to really realize that it did hurt when he was hitting me. I kept repeatedly asking him why are you doing this to me? I don’t know you. What did I do to you?” Hernan Andrade, another casino employee, pulled Sussman off of Pesola. As Andrade tried to call for help, Sussman attacked him, stabbing him multiple times. “I followed him on my phone trying to call security. When I got to the end of the hallway, I didn’t know that the suspect was hiding. So while I was on the phone, he jumped me,” Andrade explained. “I ran back to where the other employee was hurt. As soon as I got there, they closed the main doors so this individual wouldn’t come back and keep hitting us.” Shortly after the attack, Red Rock Casino security bike officer Chance Sanders told a grand jury that he spotted Sussman and that something was off. “I saw him and he just didn’t look right,” Red Rock security bike officer Chance Sanders told a grand jury. “When he sat himself down, he did not sit himself down like a normal human being would, somebody in the right state of mind. He kind of plopped himself down and then his head was cocked awkwardly on the decor behind him and it just looked extremely uncomfortable.” Sanders said Sussman grabbed his chest and said his heart was racing. However, Sanders noticed something that made him stop before approaching Sussman. “He was white-knuckling an open pocket knife up against his right pocket. He was squeezing it so hard,” Sanders told a grand jury. “I did notice on the tip of the knife, there was what looked to be blood.” As other officers arrived at the scene, Sanders said Sussman charged them before turning and running further into the casino. According to Sanders, officers began chasing Sussman and at one point, Sanders was almost stabbed. “The second I touched him, his whole body tensed up and he spun around and with a 360 back spin and that knife came right at my head,” Sanders said. “The light is shining off of it and everything and by the grace of God, I don’t know how, but somehow I ducked.” As Sussman turned towards Sanders to try to swing again, another officer shot Sussman in the stomach. Sussman, Pesola, and Andrade were all taken to the hospital to be treated. According to court records, Sussman’s alcohol level was at .25% when he was at University Medical Center. For context, the blood alcohol concentration limit to operate a vehicle in Nevada is 0.08%. Medical staff also detected THC in his system, a psychoactive substance that is found in marijuana. Pesola said one of the stab wounds punctured a lung, which is still healing. “I don’t have much movement now, still. The job that I perform could be very physical at times,” Pesola explained. “You do a lot of lifting and a lot of pulling and a lot of pushing. It’s a very physical job. [Right now], I couldn’t perform it if I tried.” As for Andrade, he’s also continuing to heal. “Pretty much from side to side and I still, half of my lip is still numb. I don’t feel it,” Andrade said. “I don’t feel half of [my face].” According to court records, Sussman is facing 11 charges, including attempted murder, battery with use of a deadly weapon, and assault. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 26. Source link
Impact on physical casinos and public health
It is one of only two EU countries that still bans this. Physical casinos warn of ‘catastrophic consequences’ of legalisation France, along with Cyprus, is the only country in the European Union to ban online casino games New Africa/Shutterstock The French government is considering authorising online casinos, in a move that casinos claim would have “catastrophic consequences” – despite France being one of only two EU countries to ban them. The government has tabled an amendment to authorise online casinos as part of the draft 2025 budget, which began examination by the Assemblée nationale on Monday, October 21. The amendment states: “This move is part of a drive to bring the gaming framework into line with that of our main European neighbours, given that France, along with Cyprus, is the only country in the European Union to ban online casino games.” Online gambling operators have been calling for the legalisation of online casinos in France for years, but physical casino managers have consistently spoken out against the idea. Read also: History of casinos in France: How Napoleon started a gambling boom Crackdown on illegal online casinos? Proponents of the idea say that legalising online casinos will staunch the spread of illegal offers, which have grown significantly in recent years, French national gaming authority l’Autorité nationale des jeux (ANJ) has said. Similarly, the government has said that legalising the practice will enable more legislation designed to “limit the impact of online gambling on public health” and “control this ever-growing supply of games”. The amendment provides for this, adding: “This authorisation must be accompanied by specific regulation…in conjunction with the l’Autorité nationale des jeux and all the relevant authorities concerned.” The gross gaming revenue generated by illegal online gambling in France is estimated at between €748 million to €1.5 billion, found an ANJ study from the end of 2023. This equates to between 5% and 11% of the overall gambling market, it said. In contrast, estimates suggest that legalising online casinos – and taxing them at 55.6% of gross gaming revenue (the same level as online lottery games) – would raise up to €1 billion for the state. Physical casinos: ‘Signing the death warrant’ Despite these proposed benefits, physical casinos themselves have long been critical of the move. They say that the casino space should be reserved exclusively for them, and that authorising online casinos will result in a “catastrophic” loss in revenue and jobs. “According to our calculations, opening up online casinos will lead to a fall in gross gaming revenue for land-based casinos of between 20% and 30%, and the closure of 30% of establishments,” said Grégory Rabuel, chairman of the Casinos de France industry association and chief executive of the French casino and hotel group Barrière, in an interview with Les Echos, on October 21. “There will be catastrophic consequences, particularly in social terms,” he said. “It is estimated that 15,000 jobs will be lost. On a broader level, it will be tantamount to signing the death warrant for land-based casinos.” Source link
Mr. Gamble Announces Media Partnership with Expanse Studios | Mr. Gamble
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