Global Gaming Directory
Friday, December 31, 2021
Friday, December 10, 2021
Global Gaming Directory: Fertitta Ends $8.6 Billion Deal to Take Casino Empire Public
Fertitta Ends $8.6 Billion Deal to Take Casino Empire Public
Billionaire Tilman Fertitta reached a settlement to pull out of an $8.6 billion deal with a blank-check company that would have taken his restaurant and casino empire public.
Fertitta Entertainment Inc., the parent company of the Golden Nugget casinos and the Landry’s restaurant group, agreed to pay as much as $33 million to end a planned merger with Fast Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company formed last year.
“At the end of the day we ultimately determined that the right decision for my company was to remain private at this time,” Fertitta said in a statement on Friday. “I look forward to continuing to grow our business.”
The settlement brings to a quick resolution a dispute between Fertitta and Fast Acquisition that flared up earlier this month. Fertitta’s general counsel sent a letter Dec. 1 notifying the SPAC of its intention to call off the merger due to delays, drawing a threat of legal action in response.
Fast Acquisition shares advanced 1.2% to $10.18 as of 10:35 a.m. Friday in New York after gaining as much as 2.9%. Bonds issued by Golden Nugget were unchanged, according to Trace data.
Fertitta, who also owns the Houston Rockets basketball team, announced in February that he planned to take his casino and restaurant operations public through the SPAC. In June, he expanded the deal to add additional businesses.
Fast Acquisition, whose backers include Ruby Tuesday founder Sandy Beall, said it will continue to look for a combination with a new operating company and that the settlement will ensure the blank-check firm will remain sufficiently capitalized as it seeks a new target.
Saturday, December 04, 2021
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James Packer to speak at tourism conference in Canberra; Pop culture flashback
James Packer to speak at tourism conference in Canberra...
Billionare James Packer will be the drawcard for hoteliers, resort operators and owners attending a tourism conference in Canberra in late October. Mr Packer will open the Tourism & Transport Forum's annual "Leadership 2012" conference.
The gaming tycoon is a major tourism player given his Crown resorts in Perth and Melbourne attract 25 million visitors a year...
Jackman to Begin Filming ‘Wolverine’ in Australia...
Hollywood star Hugh Jackman will begin filming the next installment of his “X-Men” spin-off movies in Sydney next week, even though the female lead is yet to be confirmed.
Jackman, who admitted struggling to get into shape after packing on the pounds to play Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables,” said his role as Wolverine, which he first played 12 years ago, was “the backbone of my career.”
“I love the character. I still love the character,” he said. “I had no choice at the time, I was going to take anything that came along, but I happened to have walked into probably the most interesting and complex of the superhero characters.”
“I’ve always loved playing it and when I stop loving it I’ll stop doing it,” he added.
Melco Crown Project Gets Red Light on Casino...
Macau casino operator Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. MPEL +2.32% still doesn't have permission to build a casino at its latest project, according to a revised government contract published Wednesday.
The Macao Studio City project, in which Melco Crown has a 60% equity interest, is designated for a five-star hotel and film facilities, indicates the latest government contract detailing various revisions to the agreement. But the document doesn't mention any casino facilities despite the company's earlier statements they hope to open up to 400 gambling tables at the property. It's possible the government could give the green-light on a casino later, but the uncertainty could complicate the company's efforts to finance the project.
Melco Crown, backed by Lawrence Ho and James Packer—the sons of Macau gambling tycoon Stanley Ho and the late Australian casino-and-media magnate Kerry Packer—is one of six casino license holders in Macau, where it already runs two casino-resort properties in the world's largest gambling hub.
A representative for Melco Crown didn't respond to requests for comment.
In June 2011, Melco Crown signed a $360 million deal to gain control over the Macao Studio City project, resolving a bitter dispute between the project's earlier partners that had escalated to the Hong Kong courts, stalling development for years. New Cotai Holdings LLC, an arm of U.S. investment firms Oaktree Capital Management L.P. and Silver Point Capital L.P., retained its 40% stake in the project.
Earlier this month Melco Crown announced plans to enter the burgeoning Philippines market by teaming up with local property developer Belle Corp. BEL.PH -0.20% to partner on a casino resort that will cost at least $1 billion in an area the Philippines hopes will become Manila's version of the Las Vegas Strip. (The Wall Street Journal)
First Second unveils André the Giant comic...
First Second has confirmed its André the Giant biography.
Cartoonist Box Brown is working on the book charting the life of the professional wrestler and actor, reports ICv2.
André Roussimoff was a star and one-time champion of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE).
He is also known for his role in cult classic movie The Princess Bride.
Roussimoff has the condition acromegaly, which saw him grow to 7'4" in height. He died of heart failure in 1993 at the age of 46.
Box is the author of Xeric grant-funded graphic novel Love Is a Peculiar Type of Thing.
The untitled André the Giant biography is scheduled for release in 2014. (Digital Spy)
The Expendables 2 slapped with R rating for extreme violence...
Action star-laden sequel The Expendables 2 has been given an R rating for its violent and sexual content in the US.
Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and co will even be throwing some bad language into the mix as they bat off hostile attackers in this follow-up to the 2010 action-packed extravaganza.
Lionsgate was rumoured to have been considering a PG-13 rating for the film, which is due for release in the States on August 17th.
Once again, Stallone assembles his hardened team of old-school mercenaries for a special mission - taking revenge after one of their squad is murdered on the job.
Director Simon West was never in any doubt that the film would receive such a high rating, given the 'very hard' violence and language perpetrated by the all-star cast throughout the film.
'I'm sure there were some financial people who wanted it to be PG-13 because they thought it would somehow make more money or have a broader audience, but there was no way,' he told wegotthiscovered.com.
'When you get these guys on the set, they can't say a line without putting the F-bomb in it, and they can't pick up a gun without blowing several limbs off.' (Metro)
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Billionare James Packer will be the drawcard for hoteliers, resort operators and owners attending a tourism conference in Canberra in late October. Mr Packer will open the Tourism & Transport Forum's annual "Leadership 2012" conference.
The gaming tycoon is a major tourism player given his Crown resorts in Perth and Melbourne attract 25 million visitors a year...
Jackman to Begin Filming ‘Wolverine’ in Australia...
Hollywood star Hugh Jackman will begin filming the next installment of his “X-Men” spin-off movies in Sydney next week, even though the female lead is yet to be confirmed.
Jackman, who admitted struggling to get into shape after packing on the pounds to play Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables,” said his role as Wolverine, which he first played 12 years ago, was “the backbone of my career.”
“I love the character. I still love the character,” he said. “I had no choice at the time, I was going to take anything that came along, but I happened to have walked into probably the most interesting and complex of the superhero characters.”
“I’ve always loved playing it and when I stop loving it I’ll stop doing it,” he added.
Melco Crown Project Gets Red Light on Casino...
Macau casino operator Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. MPEL +2.32% still doesn't have permission to build a casino at its latest project, according to a revised government contract published Wednesday.
The Macao Studio City project, in which Melco Crown has a 60% equity interest, is designated for a five-star hotel and film facilities, indicates the latest government contract detailing various revisions to the agreement. But the document doesn't mention any casino facilities despite the company's earlier statements they hope to open up to 400 gambling tables at the property. It's possible the government could give the green-light on a casino later, but the uncertainty could complicate the company's efforts to finance the project.
Melco Crown, backed by Lawrence Ho and James Packer—the sons of Macau gambling tycoon Stanley Ho and the late Australian casino-and-media magnate Kerry Packer—is one of six casino license holders in Macau, where it already runs two casino-resort properties in the world's largest gambling hub.
A representative for Melco Crown didn't respond to requests for comment.
In June 2011, Melco Crown signed a $360 million deal to gain control over the Macao Studio City project, resolving a bitter dispute between the project's earlier partners that had escalated to the Hong Kong courts, stalling development for years. New Cotai Holdings LLC, an arm of U.S. investment firms Oaktree Capital Management L.P. and Silver Point Capital L.P., retained its 40% stake in the project.
Earlier this month Melco Crown announced plans to enter the burgeoning Philippines market by teaming up with local property developer Belle Corp. BEL.PH -0.20% to partner on a casino resort that will cost at least $1 billion in an area the Philippines hopes will become Manila's version of the Las Vegas Strip. (The Wall Street Journal)
First Second unveils André the Giant comic...
First Second has confirmed its André the Giant biography.
Cartoonist Box Brown is working on the book charting the life of the professional wrestler and actor, reports ICv2.
André Roussimoff was a star and one-time champion of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE).
He is also known for his role in cult classic movie The Princess Bride.
Roussimoff has the condition acromegaly, which saw him grow to 7'4" in height. He died of heart failure in 1993 at the age of 46.
Box is the author of Xeric grant-funded graphic novel Love Is a Peculiar Type of Thing.
The untitled André the Giant biography is scheduled for release in 2014. (Digital Spy)
The Expendables 2 slapped with R rating for extreme violence...
Action star-laden sequel The Expendables 2 has been given an R rating for its violent and sexual content in the US.
Bruce Willis, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and co will even be throwing some bad language into the mix as they bat off hostile attackers in this follow-up to the 2010 action-packed extravaganza.
Lionsgate was rumoured to have been considering a PG-13 rating for the film, which is due for release in the States on August 17th.
Once again, Stallone assembles his hardened team of old-school mercenaries for a special mission - taking revenge after one of their squad is murdered on the job.
Director Simon West was never in any doubt that the film would receive such a high rating, given the 'very hard' violence and language perpetrated by the all-star cast throughout the film.
'I'm sure there were some financial people who wanted it to be PG-13 because they thought it would somehow make more money or have a broader audience, but there was no way,' he told wegotthiscovered.com.
'When you get these guys on the set, they can't say a line without putting the F-bomb in it, and they can't pick up a gun without blowing several limbs off.' (Metro)
Websites
Media Man International
Media Man
Marvel Entertainment
JR's Place blog
Media Man News
Australian Sports Entertainment
Website Network
Media Man International
Media Man
Media Man News
Media Man Entertainment
Saturday, May 22, 2021
Sunday, May 09, 2021
Thursday, March 18, 2021
News via the Media Man Group
Lachlan Murdoch’s Fox Corp circles Tabcorp
Paul Heyman Says The Rock Contacted WWE For Roman Reigns WrestleMania Match
A&E and WWE to produce all-new "Biography" editions and "WWE's Most Wanted Treasures" series
WWE signs up two more Australian pro wrestlers
WWE Superstars and Legends pay homage to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin on 3:16 Day
Josh Barnett Comments On Brock Lesnar Possibly Fighting For Bloodsport
The 'growth' of the Quad bloc is 'very significant'
Facebook to pay News Corp for content in Australia
Bitcoin News Media: Cryptocurrency Casino Directory
The Collective via the Media Man Group
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Monday, March 15, 2021
Sunday, February 07, 2021
Global Gaming Directory plugs into the Media Man group in ongoing struggle to remain competitive in these times; Thumps up or thumbs down?
Global Gaming Directory battle against the odds... One of the world's most competitive business sectors, but not quite impossible...
Mix of gaming news, info and pop culture news may be part of the solution
Friday, January 08, 2021
Sunday, January 03, 2021
Global Gaming Blog: Business News, Casino News, Property News...
Global Gaming Blog
Business News, Casino News, Property News
U.S. to appeal dismissal of Chinese agent lawsuit against casino tycoon Wynn
The U.S. Justice Department will appeal the dismissal of a lawsuit against casino magnate Steve Wynn, who it accused of acting as a Chinese agent.
Wynn defeated the lawsuit in October when a federal judge in Washington, D.C., said the casino tycoon could not be ordered to register with the Justice Department as a foreign agent of China.
".... the Attorney General of the United States of America hereby appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia from the judgment of this Court entered on the 12th day of October, 2022, granting Defendant's Motion to Dismiss," the Justice Department said in a filing on Friday.
The Justice Department in May sued for a court order forcing Wynn, the former CEO of Wynn Casinos, to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Officials alleged that Wynn had lobbied then-U.S. President Donald Trump on China's behalf in 2017. Wynn's attorneys denied that he was ever an agent of the Chinese government.
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said in October that, because any relationship between Wynn and the Chinese government ended in 2017, the Republican donor cannot be required to register as an agent. The judge pointed to past precedent in D.C. federal court in making the ruling.
The judge said he was not determining whether Wynn had lobbied on China's behalf. He also said the Justice Department could pursue criminal sanctions against Wynn for failing to disclose the alleged lobbying, if the statute of limitations had not expired.
Star’s Queensland casinos to stay open after $100m fine
The Star Entertainment Group’s Brisbane and Gold Coast casinos will stay open under the supervision of a special manager imposed by the Queensland government after it levied a $100 million fine against the company.
Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman said Star’s operations would be overseen by Nicholas Weeks, the same independent monitor imposed on its Sydney harbourside casino by the NSW gambling regulator.
But Ms Fentiman has put Star on 12 months’ notice to clean up its act or its casino permits for Brisbane and the Gold Coast will be suspended for 90 days.
“Should the Star make satisfactory progress towards rectifying these issues, the special manager and I may determine to postpone or rescind the suspension of licences,” Ms Fentiman said.
The record penalty, the maximum under new Queensland laws passed in August, and the imposition of a special manager follows a short inquiry led by Robert Gotterson, SC.
Mr Gotterson found the company had lured high rollers who were banned from casinos in other states to gamble at its Queensland casinos, and that there were “serious deficiencies” in the company’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) program.
The review, which was released in October, also found Star deliberately misled the gaming regulator to cover up China UnionPay transactions as hotel expenses when their primary use was gambling.
The Queensland move echoes the NSW and Victorian governments’ appointment of a special manager to oversee Star Sydney and Crown Melbourne. Star Sydney’s permit was suspended for 90 days last month.
The NSW Independent Casino Commission (NICC) chief commissioner, Philip Crawford, also slapped a maximum $100 million fine on Star for its widespread wrong-doing, revealed in the Bell review, bringing the total fines from state regulators to $200 million.
The company is also facing massive fines from the financial crime watchdog, which is suing Star for allegedly allowing 117 high-risk VIP patrons to churn billions of dollars of dirty cash through its Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast casinos for six years.
AUSTRAC’s statement of claim shows foreign agents, Ponzi scheme scammers, accused sex slave traders, a murderer for hire, loan sharks and drug traffickers were allowed to bet billions of dollars at Star for years, despite information of alleged nefarious activity being publicly available.
Star placed its shares in a trading halt on Friday morning before the announcement. Star shares were 0.4 per cent higher at $2.54 before they were suspended.
Consistency across jurisdictions
Ms Fentiman appointed former Sunsuper executive Terri Hamilton to assist Mr Weeks with the oversight of Star’s Queensland operations.
“Having a special manager that monitors the operations of The Star in both states will ensure they will be looked at as one operating entity and provide consistency across jurisdictions,” she said.
“It’s also important that we have a person on the ground here in Queensland, which is why Ms Terri Hamilton will be the Queensland manager assisting, and will join Mr Weeks’ very skilled and capable team.”
Mr Crawford backed Queensland’s decision to appoint Mr Weeks because it “will further support our ongoing collaboration with our Queensland regulatory counterparts”.
“This will ensure The Star acts consistently and complies with their obligations – no matter which state they operate in.”
Ms Fentiman said this was an opportunity for Star to return to suitability, but “they have a long way to go”.
“If relevant entities do not take significant steps to improve their operations, we will not hesitate to take further action.”
Ms Fentiman said the government would send the bill to Star for the cost of the special manager’s work.
She gave the casino operator 12 months to pay the $100 million fine and said Star’s $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf casino, hotel and apartment development in Brisbane’s CBD will be unaffected by the penalty.
Last week, the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) filed its case against Star Sydney and Star Queensland in the Federal Court alleging that the casino group facilitated money laundering that amounted to “serious and systemic” breaches of federal law.
AUSTRAC said Star had breached the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act “innumerable times” since 2016. Each breach attracts a maximum penalty of $22.2 million.
Rival Crown Resorts faced similar court action and had stashed away more than $600 million to pay for expected fines levied by the states and AUSTRAC, contributing to its $945 million full-year loss reported last week.
Casinos Around The World
Sydney, Australia
As one of the most-visited cities in Australia, Sydney has an allure that is hard to resist. Set on the coast of New South Wales, Australia’s largest city is home to some of the country’s most famous sights, such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Bondi Beach. Although casinos don’t immediately come to mind, Sydney offers some of the county’s best casinos. The Star is the largest and most well-known, with over 100 table games and 1,400 slots spread over two floors. Also worth a visit is The Crown, newly opened and offering a members-only VIP casino experience.
London, UK
Dating all the way back to Roman times, London is a city with a rich historical and cultural background. The UK capital has numerous tourist hotspots, including Trafalgar Square, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben, and well over 100 museums to explore. Equally as populous are London’s casinos. There are plenty to choose between, with The Hippodrome, The Palm Beach Casino and The Empire being some of the top picks. While planning your London trip online, you can also look up some of the best payout online slots UK before your trip.
Atlantic City, USA
Founded in 1854, Atlantic City made a name for itself in the USA as one of the East Coast’s premier holiday resorts. By the end of the 20th century, the city was best known for its casinos, beaches and Boardwalk. Resorts Casino provides history and entertainment, all rolled into one as Atlantic City’s first and oldest casino. Tropicana Casino Resort and Bally’s Atlantic Casino are both also worth a visit if time allows. No visit to Atlantic City is complete without a seaside stroll along the Boardwalk, a climb to the top of Absecon Lighthouse or a game at one of the USA’s oldest casinos.
Reno, Nevada, USA
Now considered Las Vegas’s little sister, Reno, Nevada, was the Casino capital of the USA until the 1980s. Along with its relaxed gambling laws, for a long time, Reno also had more relaxed divorce laws than other US states, making it a popular place to visit for couples wanting a divorce. Visit the National Automobile Museum and the Reno Arch or get out into nature at the nearby Lake Tahoe. Today, the city is best known for being a technological centre, however, its casinos are also still popular, with Peppermill Resort Casino, Atlantis Casino Resort and Eldorado Resort Casino being just three of the many you could choose to visit.
San José, Costa Rica
San José is Costa Rica’s seat of national government and the country’s most important city due to its status as the most visited city in Central America. As a historical and culturally significant city, San José is home to many museums, including the National Museum of Costa Rica, and the Museum of Pre-Columbian Gold. Casinos in Latin America are a little harder to find, with Barceló San José Palacio Spa & Casino or Hotel and Casino Taormina being two of the most popular. They offer a quieter, more informal feel but are still worth a visit.
Nassau, Bahamas
Made up of an archipelago of nearly 700 coral islands, the Bahamas has much to offer its visitors. A top-rated holiday destination due to its proximity to Florida, there are plenty of award-winning beaches to relax upon, watersports to enjoy and even some world-famous swimming pigs! One of the most iconic sights of Nassau, Bahamas capital, is the Royal Towers at Atlantis Resort, a luxury hotel, waterpark and casino. If casinos are what you’re after, you are spoilt for choice as there is also the Baha Mar Casino and Island Luck Casino in the city.
NSW casino regulator won’t recognize The Star Sydney’s self-appointed independent monitor - November 2022
The NSW Independent Casino Commission – the recently formed regulatory body tasked with overseeing The Star Sydney and Crown Sydney – has informed Star Entertainment Group that it does not endorse the appointment of the company’s own independent monitor and will not recognize the monitor’s actions.
According to information filed by Star, operator of The Star Sydney, this week, the company was informed of the NICC’s view by the Special Manager specifically appointed by the NICC to oversee The Star Sydney’s operations.
Star was recently found unsuitable to retain its casino license for The Star Sydney following a review into its operations.
However, it continues to be involved in the day-to-day running of the casino under the supervision of the Special Manager, Nicholas Weeks of Wexted Advisors, following his appointment by the NICC in mid-October. As reported by IAG, Weekes will oversee operations of The Star Sydney for an initial period of 90 days, with his initial task being to determine whether Star’s failings can be rectified and whether it can return to suitability.
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