Category Archives: Casino

DEXTER Dexter students celebrated their 2022 prom at the schools football stadium on Saturday, May 14.

Under the light of a golden sunset, students walked a red carpet into a grand tent for their casino-themed prom, posing for polaroids along the way.

Students enjoyed mocktails, snacks and music as well as a host of casino games from roulette to blackjack.

Check out our photos from the night above or for a direct link to the gallery click here. You can order prints of any of these prom photos by clicking the Buy photo button in the caption of every photo. Subscribers click the Get photo link to download high-resolution images right to their device for free as part of their subscription.

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Dexter students take to football field for casino themed prom - MLive.com

MONTREAL - Croupiers at the Montreal Casino say they will walk off the job once again today following a surprise four-hour strike on Saturday.

Employees stopped working on Saturday afternoon to denounce stalled negotiations over the new collective agreement, which came to an impasse last weekend.

The strike is set to resume today from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The collective agreement that regulates the working conditions of 521 dealers expired on March 31, 2020, with salaries and schedules among the issues at stake.

Union representative Jean-Pierre Proulx said contract talks will resume on Tuesday with a mediator, adding he hopes this weekends actions demonstrate the need to find a satisfactory deal.

Loto-Qubec, which manages the provinces casinos, said clients will still be able to access gaming tables during the temporary strike except in the poker room.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 15, 2022.

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This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.

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Croupiers plan to walk off the job at Montreal Casino for the second time in two days - Toronto Star

Posted on: May 15, 2022, 04:22h.

Last updated on: May 15, 2022, 05:31h.

The April reading of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 8.3%, representing a meager decline from the 8.5% increase in March, but enough to keep consumer prices at the highest levels since 1982.

At least one casino executive says signs are mounting that inflation is weighing on the gaming industry. In a recent interview with CNBC, Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen notes inflation is affecting operators in a variety of ways.

Specific to Hard Rock, which is one of the largest tribal gaming entities in the US, Allen points out building materials prices have just exploded. Thats relevant to the operators Las Vegas Strip ambitions.

Last December, Florida-based Hard Rock said its paying $1.075 billion for the operating rights to the Mirage. But the operators spend isnt ending there. Its planning to gut the venues famous volcano and redesign the property in the shape of the ubiquitous Hard Rock guitar. Amid high inflation, supply chain issues, and labor shortages, Mirage enhancements could cost more than expected, though Allen didnt say as much in the interview.

Regional casinos are among the contributors to the industrys rebound from the coronavirus pandemic. But that strength could be tested, as gas prices remain high across the country, with no signs of near-term relief.

We look at gasoline anywhere from $5 to $6 a gallon, Allen told CNCB. Theres no doubt that in most regional gaming markets that customer is a day-tripper, utilizing gasoline to get to the facility. And when thats up 30% to 40%, thats going to be problematic.

The Hard Rock chief executives comments on gas prices affecting regional casinos carry weight, because the companys portfolio of US casinos is largely regional properties. That includes venues in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, and Ohio.

Additionally, tribal operators in Oklahoma, of which Hard Rock is one, could be affected by consumers dialing back on driving simply in the name of visiting a casino. Oklahoma casinos are heavily dependent on visitors from neighboring Texas, and the same applies to commercial regional casinos in Louisiana.

Likewise, casinos in the Reno/Lake Tahoe market could be crimped by California gas prices the highest in the lower 48 states.

Allen said Las Vegas is proving resilient against the backdrop of higher inflation, and that Hard Rocks Florida casinos are sturdy, For now.

With gaming industry earnings season drawing to a close, its accurate to say theres been plenty of inflation talk on conference calls. One of the obvious takeaways is that Strip-heavy operators, namely Caesars Entertainment (NASDAQ:CZR) and MGM Resorts International (NYSE:MGM), are noting soaring consumer prices arent yet sapping demand for travel to Las Vegas.

However, some operators are seeing signs of reduced spending among cost-conscious patrons, including in the Las Vegas locals demographic.

There is no doubt that inflation with food and groceries and even gasoline has an impact on the lowest segments in the database for sure, said Red Rock Resorts (NASDAQ:RRR) CEO Frank Fertitta on the company first-quarter earnings conference call earlier this month.

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Inflation Could Take Toll On Casinos, Says Hard Rock CEO Allen - Casino.Org News

What happened

Shares of both Las Vegas Sands (LVS 15.06%) and Wynn Resorts (WYNN 13.17%)finished the week in the black, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, while Caesars Entertainment (CZR 10.36%) erased most of a large deficit after Shanghai officials announced they will end weeks of strict lockdowns and attempt to reopen again in a few days.

Sands ended the week up 1.1% from where it closed last Friday after having been down 12% going into the last day of trading, while Wynn was essentially flat after having been down by a like percentage.

Although Caesars still ended the week off 8%, it had been down as much as 19% during the week, so it made up almost as much ground as its peers.

Image source: Getty Images.

China has dealt harshly with its citizens to contain new outbreaks of COVID-19, with the Shanghai population of 25 million people absolutely forbidden from leaving their homes, oftentimes not even allowing for deliveries, leading to massive food shortages. Beijing has been subject to similar forced lockdowns.

It's having a rippling effect across numerous industries as global trade and supply chains have also been impacted by the lockdowns. According to Reuters, restaurants, malls, and entertainment and tourist venues have been closed, bus, subway, and taxi service has been suspended, and residents have been forced to remain in their buildings with almost daily COVID-19 testing required.

Since the lockdowns began at the end of March, the casino stocks are still down even after Friday's rally, with Las Vegas Sands off 11%, Wynn down 17%, and Caesars down 28%.

The reason casinos have fell as hard as they have is because mainland China is the largest source of tourism for Macao, the only place in China where it's legal to gamble. Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong are all major cities that contribute to Macao casino revenue. The lockdowns kept visitors from coming to the casinos.

While easing lockdowns is a positive step, casino stocks will unlikely see any benefit initially, and maybe for some time to come as gambling is not about to be the first thing people who have been short of food and necessities will think about.

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Why Casino Stocks Soared This Week to Beat Out the Stock Market - The Motley Fool

FLINT, MI Dressed in their finest threads, Madison Academy celebrated in style for prom night.

With a Night at the Casino theme, nearly 30 students dined and danced the night away at the Hilton Garden Inn on Friday, May 13 in downtown Flints new hotel.

These four years have been a wild roller coaster for my graduating class, said senior Antonio Sweeney. So having a traditional prom is a way for us to dance our worries away with style and grace.

Check out the gallery above or click here to view all of the photos. You can order prints of any of these prom photos by clicking the Buy photo button in the caption of every photo. Subscribers click the Get photo link to download high-resolution images right to their device for free as part of their subscription. To subscribe, click this link.

Scroll to see our top 10 favorites from the night:

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

Scenes from Madison Academys prom at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Flint on Friday, May 13, 2022. (Jenifer Veloso | MLive.com)Jenifer Veloso

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Madison Academy celebrates in style with Night at the Casino prom - MLive.com

ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS

UPDATE: A huge police presence was still on scene near the front entrance late in the afternoon Saturday, which was blocked. However, customers and staff are saying the casino is not closed, and an alternate route is available. Exactly what occurred is still being sorted out, and we hope to have an update to share soon.

Original: EAN reporter Dale Barnett initially reported that Wind Creek Casino of Montgomery has been evacuated, and law enforcement had the front entrance blocked.

WSFA has reported The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office confirms an on-duty deputy was rushed to the hospital Saturday afternoon in the area of the casino. Maj. Gayle Atchison said the deputy was taken to Baptist East after being exposed to a narcotic. It happened around 3 p.m. near the Wind Creek Casino and Hotel off Eddie L Tullis Road.

The narcotic wasnt specified, but Atchison said the unidentified deputy was given doses of Narcan.

There are numerous state troopers, Montgomery Sheriff officers, and rescue vehicles at the main entrance to the Casino and they were not allowing anyone to enter the main entrance to the property. One State Trooper stated the casino was closed but could not discuss details. There was a tremendous back up of traffic at the toll Bridge coming into Elmore County.

One person leaving the casino said everyone was asked to evacuate, but no reason was given.

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Montgomery Deputy recovering after being exposed to Narcotic in area of Wind Creek Montgomery - Elmore Autauga News

Casino revenue in the state of Illinois reached nine figures in March for the first time in 2022, as its 11 venues combined to generate more than $119 million in adjusted operator revenue, according to figures released by the Illinois Gaming Board.

The new year saw a slow start for casinos in the Prairie State, with Januarys revenue coming in at just $87.8 million before bumping up slightly to $93.6 million for February. But a month-over-month surge in attendance that saw nearly 180,000 more admissions partially attributable to the states mask mandate ending in response to improved COVID-19 conditions, as well as some secondary NCAA Tournament traffic from retail sportsbooks contributed to a 27.3% increase in revenue that was also aided by three extra days of wagering compared to February.

Year-over-year, Marchs revenue figure was 12.8% higher than the $105.7 million claimed by operators in 2021. Through the first three months of this year, casino revenue excluding sports wagering has totaled $300.5 million 43.2% higher versus the first quarter of 2021. The state collected $17.6 million in tax receipts for March, and its three-month total of $39 million is currently $13.7 million ahead of last years pace.

Sports wagering in Illinois generated $101.8 million in adjusted revenue and $15.2 million in state tax receipts during the first two months of the year. Sports betting operators have different submission deadlines for revenue reports, and Marchs numbers have yet to be released.

Located just outside Chicagos city limits, Rivers Casino in Des Plaines reported more than 235,000 admissions for March, an increase of more than 80,000 from February. The result was the Rush Street Gaming-run venue generating more than $44 million in revenue, a 38.5% increase from February.

Rivers accounted for 55.5% of the nearly $29 million in table games revenue from the 10 locations offering that type of action, with its $16.1 million representing a 41.3% month-over-month upswing. And Rivers table games rate of $68.27 per admission was nearly double the state average of $36.75.

Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin was the only other venue to generate more than 10% of the states overall revenue from table games, with its $3.2 million accounting for nearly 11% of the total. It and Harrahs Joliet were the only two other casinos to better the state average of table games revenue per admission at $38.62 and $38.30, respectively.

Table games revenue averaged more than $24 million in the first three months of the year, with the $72 million total nearly $20 million ahead of 2021s total.

The states 11 venues that offer electronic gaming and slots combined to generate nearly $90.2 million in operator revenue, an increase of 25.2% from February. Rivers again paced all operators with just shy of $28 million and was one of three operators to reach eight figures, along with Grand Victoria ($11 million) and Harrahs Joliet ($10.3 million).

Harrahs Joliet also had the highest EGD revenue per admission at $158.60 and highest overall revenue per admission at $196.90. The latter figure topped Rivers by nearly $10 per head, but the overall state average of $151.12 was 7.7% lower than Februarys $163.71 and 6.9% off March 2021s average of $162.34.

Illinois 42,000-plus video gaming terminals (VGTs) statewide outside Chicago where the machines are forbidden by city ordinance also provided a huge boost to state coffers, as they generated just shy of $250 million in Net Terminal Income for March. It was a 23.5% increase from Februarys NTI of $202.1 million, aided by a sharp rise in funds in the amount of money entered by patrons playing at the 7,917 establishments.

Funds in totaled $973.3 million, an increase of 23.5% from February and a 2.3% uptick from March 2021, when $246.6 million in NTI was reported. The state received close to $72.4 million in tax receipts from VGT play this year, with local municipalities claiming an additional $12.5 million.

VGT tax receipts totaled slightly more than $220 million in the first quarter of 2022, outpacing last years first quarter by more than $50 million, as there are 3,599 more terminals in operation versus 2021. Local municipalities have received $32.3 million in tax receipts this year, a 29.7% improvement from the first three months of last year.

Photo: Shutterstock

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Illinois Casino And VGT Revenue Bounce Back Strongly In March - US Bets

PROVIDENCE More than 70 employees at Ballys Twin River Lincoln Casino Resort are accusing the company of violating federal and state fair labor laws by failing to pay them adequate overtime wages and systematically undercutting their weekly paychecks.

Three employees Rebecca Barton, Timothy Bartholomew and Johan Tapia, all of whom travel to work at the Lincoln casino from Connecticut suedBallys Twin River last month in U.S. District Court, alleging the casino was willfully and repeatedly miscalculating its pay for hourly, tipped workers. Dozens more employees who worked at Twin River in the past three years are seeking to join the class-action lawsuit. Those affected include dealers and servers and other tip-based employees.

We think theres substantial money involved, Chip Muller, one of the lawyers representing the plaintiffs, said Friday.

Twin River, a state-operated casino that is privately owned, has not yet responded to thelawsuit in court. Patti Doyle, a spokeswoman for Twin River, said the company declined to comment because the matterinvolves personnel and pending litigation.

According to the suit, the employees worked more than 40 hours some weeks, but were paid 1 times an hourly rate that fell below the required state minimum wage, which amounted to $10.10 per hour before Jan.1 and $12.25 per hour after. Federal fair labor and state laws require the employer to pay an hourly rate of 1 times theregular rate, which cannot be lower than the state minimum wage, for any overtime hours.

The workers also accuse the casino of failing to notify them thatit was paying them a service wage of $2.13 per hour, while taking a tip credit of $5.12 to bring the company up to the $7.25 federal minimum wage. The law states that an employer cannot apply a tip credit without informing the employee.

In addition, the workers allege that Twin River failed to comply with legal requirements that it factor in tip credits and shift premiums, such as an increased differential for late-night hours, when calculating the employees regular pay rate.

Instead, the suit alleges that the casino simply paid employees 1 times a lower service rate for overtime hours. It also accuses the casino of not accounting for shift premiums in determining overtime pay.

Further allegations include that Twin River relies on a time-clock system that rounds work time to the nearest 15 minutesbut partners that policy with instructions designed to under-count hours worked and prohibits workers from punching in more than seven minutes before their shift starts.

The workers are asking the court to determine whether the casino has miscalculated their overtime wages and whether and what damages they are entitled to for the alleged violations in state labor laws.

They are represented by Muller; Nancy Sheinberg; Benjamin Knox Steffans of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and Jeffrey S. Morneauof Springfield, Massachusetts.

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Twin River employees accuse casino of failing to pay adequate overtime in class-action suit - The Providence Journal

The 60 day line in the sand for Diamond Jacks Casino is just about over. It now looks like the Bossier City casino could soon have new owners.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board gave the owner Peninsula Pacific 60-days to get the complex sold or open it back up. There's been no movement to reopen the property, butGaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says he has received paperwork from the company to sell the property to a Mississippi company.

DiamondJacks has filed a petition with the Gaming Board to sell its license to Foundation Gaming. The Gaming Division of State Police and the Attorney General's Gaming Division will now begin to review the suitability of Foundation Gaming.

The gaming board meets Monday and if all of the conditions are met, the board will begin the process to ok this transfer of ownership. This is expected to take a few months.

No details have been released about what Foundation Gaming plans to do with the vacant property in Bossier City. The casino closed at the beginning of the pandemic in the spring of 2020 and it has never reopened.

Lots of great events for the family are planned in our area.

Wanna bring Mom out to eat, here are some of our favorite spots.

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Is Diamond Jacks Casino Going to Reopen in Bossier City? - News Radio 710 KEEL

Norfolk City officials made public a major plan on Tuesday to rebuild five city schools over the next decade using local tax revenue from a new casino.

City officials dont know the total cost of the project yet, but said they plan to take out at least $250 million in new debt for it. That money would be paid back at least in part by local tax revenue from the Headwaters Resort and Casino, a gaming facility set to open near Harbor Park in 2024, according to Norfolk City Manager Chip Filer.

This is a generational change in the facilities of the Norfolk public school system, both through new construction, as well as massive modernization and renovation, Filer said at a Tuesday city council meeting.

The five schools the city intends to replace or renovate are Maury High School, Booker T. Washington High School, Norview Elementary School, Jacox Elementary School and Granby Elementary School.

Maury High School would be first in line for replacement, with construction beginning as soon as 2025, Filer said.

The 1910-era Maury High School has dire infrastructure and repair needs. City and school officials have been discussing the need to replace the school since at least 2014.

The estimated price tag is $180 million, Filer said.

The other school that would be replaced is Norview. Booker T. Washington would be fully renovated, while officials havent decided yet whether Jacox and Granby will be replaced or renovated.

Norfolk City Budget Director Greg Patrick said such extensive school reconstruction will not be possible without tax revenue from the new casino.

The casino is coming online, and it is very rare that we have an opportunity to leverage a new revenue source that is as substantial as we expect the revenue from the casino to be, Patrick told The Virginian-Pilot. And if we can get in front of that revenue coming online and use it for a particular purpose, we can really make a difference.

The city estimates that the Headwaters Resort and Casino, approved by Norfolk voters in a 2020 referendum, will generate between $33 million and $44 million in city tax revenue annually. Of that, Patrick said around $10 million per year would be put toward the debt for the school reconstruction project.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful generational impact on the Norfolk Public School system, Patrick said.

Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander announced the school reconstruction plan during his State of the City address on April 7, calling it a major renovation and construction plan to modernize and revolutionize our schools.

Many details of the plan have yet to be released, however. And whether it moves forward is contingent on approval from both Norfolk City Council and the Norfolk School Board.

Even if city council adopts the plan, Patrick said the school board, which controls the school divisions budget, could absolutely choose a different direction.

School Board Chairwoman Adale Martin could not immediately be reached for comment.

The school board dedicated $147 million to begin replacing or renovating Maury High School in the school divisions upcoming budget, which was adopted on March 16. But the remaining four schools identified for reconstruction by the city are not included in their capital improvement plan.

Councilwoman Mamie Johnson, a former Norfolk Public Schools teacher, said during the work session that she was concerned the school board may not endorse the plan.

We have shown that were committed to the children and their families, to the teachers and all of the employees of Norfolk Public Schools, Johnson said.

But, she said, we do not control how the money is spent.

Daniel Berti, daniel.berti@virginiamedia.com

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Norfolk unveils 'massive' school reconstruction plan funded by casino tax revenue - The Virginian-Pilot