Category Archives: Casino

The annual Casino Esports Conference will be taking place in Las Vegas once again this year. The events sixth edition is headed for the Alexis Park Resort on March 23 and March 24 and features a number of speakers, industry experts, lawyers, and more. The number of participants is already available on the official website, and there are many prominent guests who will seek to talk esports in the broader context of gaming.

Among those are Oddin.gg head of partnerships Marek Suchar, Take Two Interactive director Jon Moses, former PlayUp CEO Dr. Laila Mintas, Allied Esports CEO and director Frank Ng, Fifth Street Gaming chairman Seth Schorr and many others.

The convergence of so many experts will seek to broach important topics for the gaming and esports industries, including the rollout of esports betting products, finance, and the state of college esports, which has been rapidly developing across the United States.

States such as Connecticut, Nevada, and New Jersey are already exploring esports betting a little more seriously, and they want to introduce them or have done so in the case of Connecticut as part of their sports betting frameworks.

Meanwhile, states like Wyoming have pushed things further along, opening their betting legislation to cryptocurrencies and esports, inviting unique new products. As promoted by Unikrn, skill betting is already a hot topic for many in the United States, but its hardly the only platform to offer ground-breaking products.

As the pandemic has forced many sports to retreat, esports were finally brought to the frontlines. At the onset of the pandemic, Nevada had to pass exclusive betting permits for individual events. The Silver States accepted wagers on the ESL Pro League Season II: North America held in 2020, among others. The return of regular sports events has chilled Nevada regulators enthusiasm for esports though.

Esports have made a lasting impression on betting crowds and have long been touted as a gateway to younger generations. Rivalry, Pinnacle, and Luckbox are notably absent from the conference, even though these companies created an esports-first product and are now successfully transitioning into casino and sports betting.

The topics discussed by the conference will touch on virtually every important aspect that is currently debated in the industry but still remains up in the air for one reason or another. The conference will begin with a discussion of the state of esports in the casino, college, finance, and globally.

Speakers will take a look at the current state of regulation on a state-by-state basis and how esports can benefit from cryptocurrencies. College esports betting will be another topic of interest to participants.

The bulk of the esports betting discussion will remain focused on the first day of the conference for those of you who are specifically heading out to explore this aspect of the industry. The second day of discussions will be focused mostly on broader gaming and NFT implications for esports.

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Casino Esports Conference Returns for Sixth Edition on March 23-24 - GamblingNews.com

By Carol Evans and Glen D. Nenema

By Carol Evans and Glen D. Nenema

In 2020, the Washington State Legislature legalized sports betting on the premises of tribal casinos. That legislation passed with a bipartisan supermajority. Now, after nearly two years of careful planning and multiple layers of regulatory oversight, sports betting has begun at the Kalispel Tribes Northern Quest Casino. And sports betting will soon go live at the Spokane Tribe Casino and at 14 other tribal casinos across our state.

But even before most tribal sports betting has launched, one well-funded nontribal gambling company is pushing a huge expansion of sports betting and other gambling activities at neighborhood card rooms throughout our state. This week they filed a federal lawsuit that seeks to accomplish through the courts what our Legislature has repeatedly rejected. As the chairs of the Kalispel and Spokane tribes, we believe strongly that such an expansion would be a mistake. The Legislature carefully deliberated the pros and cons of sports betting and ultimately agreed on the right approach, one that is fully compliant with federal law.

Washingtons system of tribal gaming, in place for nearly three decades, has proven to be successful, safe, and responsible. Our states approach of limiting sports betting to tribal casinos protects public safety and reduces the risk of problem gambling. It keeps gambling out of the vast majority of our neighborhoods. Those who choose to place a sports bet at a tribal casino can feel safe in doing so, given the multiple layers of regulation and oversight that occur with tribal gaming. Sports betting at our respective casinos will be handled responsibly.

Contrary to the claims of advocates for sports betting in privately owned card rooms, our state and local governments do benefit from tribal gaming. So do our local and state economies. Tribal governments support nearly 60,000 jobs across Washington, with almost 70% of those jobs held by non-tribal members, accounting for $1.5 billion in wages and benefits. A 2017 analysis found that tribal gaming contributes $5.7 billion to the states economy. Dollars spent at tribal casinos stay in Washington State and generate over $722 million in state and local tax revenue.

The Spokane Tribe Casino opened in 2018 and recently completed a substantial expansion, with construction of a new hotel set to commence in early 2022. The recent expansion has added 300 new casino and construction jobs, and still more jobs will be created with the hotel construction and operation. The Spokane Tribe Casino makes significant charitable contributions annually, as well as annual payments to the city of Airway Heights. The Kalispel Tribes Northern Quest Casino generates $275 million in economic impact every year, has created 1,500 jobs in Spokane County, and generated $20 million in charitable contributions to community organizations and nonprofits.

Tribal gaming is governmental gaming: revenues are used to address the unmet needs of our members that have accumulated from generations of poverty and trauma.

Meanwhile, expanding sports betting to privately owned neighborhood card rooms would not produce significant new state and local government revenue. The states fiscal analysis shows that such activity would increase state revenues by less than $3 million annually. At the same time, tens of millions of dollars currently spent here in Washington for local benefit would be diverted to the wealthy out-of-state banks and investors backing the gambling company that owns nearly half of the states card rooms.

Tribes in Washington have built a strong partnership with local, state and federal governments. Our casinos provide fun, safe places for gaming, recreation, and other entertainment. The revenues stay in our state and improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians.

That is why tribal gaming enjoys strong public support. Public opinion research conducted by an independent pollster on behalf of the Washington Indian Gaming Association found that more than 70% of Washington State voters support gaming on tribal lands. Furthermore, by a two-to-one margin, the public supports the law that limits sports betting to tribal casinos, legalizing this activity but keeping it away from major population centers.

Our system of gaming in Washington state has been carefully crafted through intergovernmental cooperation between tribes and state and federal authorities. That proven system delivers much needed community and economic benefits, and limiting sports betting to the premises of our tribal casinos is a prudent approach. Our strong commitment is to handle sports betting safely and responsibly, and to make sure the revenues stay here at home and benefit us all.

Carol Evans is chairwoman of the Spokane Tribe. Glen D. Nenema is chairman of the Kalispel Tribe.

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Carol Evans and Glen D. Nenema: Sports betting will be handled responsibly at tribal casinos - The Spokesman-Review

Detroit's three casinos netted $1.294 billion in aggregate revenue in 2021, beating2020results that were significantly impacted by the pandemicbut falling short of 2019's record total.

The 2021 revenue total exceeds the nearly $639 million in aggregate revenue the three casinos MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino and Greektown Casino generated in 2020, when they were closed for much of the year due to COVID-19 restrictions. In 2019, the casinos generated a record $1.454 billion in revenue.

Slots, which generated $998.8 million,accounted for 77% of 2021 revenues. Table games, meanwhile, brought in $268 million and retail sports betting produced revenue of $26.95 million, according to numbers released Tuesday by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. The totals don't include revenue from online gambling, which is reported separately.

MGM Grand Detroit led with 43% market share last year. MotorCity Casino closed the year with 35% market share, while Greektown Casino had 22%.

Year-over-year, revenue tied to slots and table games rose 104.2% to $1.27 billion in 2021, the gaming control boardreported. All three casinos reported gaming revenues up nearly or more than 100% compared to 2020. MGM Grand Detroit reported $554 million in gaming revenue. MotorCity reported $438.3 million, and Greektown reported $274.5. million.

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The three casinos paid $102.6 million in wagering taxes on slots and table games revenue to the state of Michigan last year, up more than 100% from 2020's $50.3 million. They reported making $160.8 million in wagering taxes and development agreement payments on slots and table game revenue to the city in 2021.

Meanwhile, on the retail sports betting side, the casinos collectively reported qualified adjusted gross receipts (which don't include the monetary value of free play incentives) of $26.95 million last year. Greektown, home to the Barstool Sportsbook,led with $9.47 million. MGM brought in $8.79 million and MotorCity reported $8.69 million.

The Detroit casinos paid $1 million in taxes tied to retail sports betting to the state last year, up from $690,865 in 2020. They paid $1.26 million in retail sports betting taxes to the city.

For the fourth quarter of 2021, aggregate revenue at the casinos was up 99.3% year-over-year. In December, the three casinos reported $112.5 million in monthly aggregate revenue.

jgrzelewski@detroitnews.com

Twitter: @JGrzelewski

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Detroit casinos report $1.29 billion in revenue for 2021, up more than 100% from 2020 - The Detroit News

Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB)s Legends Resort & Casino in Pope County, Arkansas, still remains on hold amid litigation. CNB has yet to schedule a groundbreaking for the $225 million property, expected to create more than 1,000 direct jobs.

According to Arkansas Business, CEO Chuck Garrett said that once work begins, it would take between 18 to 24 months to construct the venue. However, the proposed casino has been facing more than two years of local resistance to date.

Our legal team is working to quickly dismiss all pending litigation. It is important to note that many aspects of timing are out of our hands and ultimately controlled by the courts, Garrett said. We remain hopeful that all will be resolved in the coming weeks and months so that we can break ground on Legends Resort & Casino as soon as possible.

According to the cited news source, the CEO said CNB has had productive initial meetings with city planners and is currently awaiting the results of environmental traffic studies. Once hurdles are cleared, the business would be able to move forward with the planned buying of the land its had options on since 2019.

But in order to pursue its casino development, CNB must first resolve pending litigation. This includes a lawsuit filed by Pope County resident John Cliff Gooding, and a motion filed by rival Mississippi company Gulfside Casino Partnership.

Gulfside, which was initially awarded the Pope County casino license by the Arkansas Racing Commission, filed a lawsuit in the Pulaski County Circuit to issue a temporary restraining order halting any movement on the casino project. The company had lost the license after an Arkansas Supreme Court ruled in October its application was invalid because its letter of support was signed by the outgoing county judge, instead of the current one.

Both Goodin and Gulfside protest that while the applicant for the license was Legends Resort & Casino LLC, the license was awarded to Cherokee Nation Businesses LLC/Legends Resort and Casino LLC. They further claim Legends has no gaming experience, therefore making it an unqualified applicant for the Pope County license.

According to the opposing parties, these circumstances mean the states gaming commission has not satisfied constitutional requirements in its awarding of a license to operate the Pope County casino. Resolving the legal situation could take months and, should either lawsuit succeed, the entire licensing process could be reset.

But CNB is confident this will not be the case. According to Arkansas Business, Garrett said the casino is 100% owned and operated by Cherokee Nation Businesses, and its casino license application states that CNB is the sole member of the Legends LLC.

CNB has more than 30 years of experience, and operates 10 casinos through its hospitality division, Cherokee Nation Entertainment. Cherokee Nation Businesses calls Legends a strategic consultant, which has worked with professional sports teams, collegiate partners, live events and venues.

Garrett said CNB has not previously worked with Legends, but found partnering with the organization an attractive move because of the large size of the Pope County project. Legends was co-founded by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and according to Garrett, teaming up with the business gives CNB access to a talented team with local knowledge.

A third source of conflict has been detected in the Fair Play for Arkansas committee, a group aiming to halt the casino project by working to put an initiative on the November ballot which would remove Pope County as a site allowed to have a casino following a constitutional amendment approved in 2018.

While a majority of Pope County voters are credited with opposing said amendment, CNB said it would not be deterred by that effort and that should the casino be built, it would have a positive economic impact of more than $5 billion during its first 10 years.

Moreover, an agreement with Pope County Judge Ben Cross is to be signed, under which CNB would make a $38.8 million upfront investment to be distributed to areas and agencies determined by local officials. Additionally, $2 million would be donated per year to local organizations.

To be located off Hob Nob Road, northeast of downtown Russellville, on 130 acres just north of Interstate 40 between the Weir Road exit to the west and Bradley Cove Road exit to the east, Legends Resort & Casino calls for about 50,000 square feet of gaming space.

The casino part of the resort would feature up to 1,200 slot machines, and 32 table games. The venue is set to have a 200-room luxury hotel, with a resort pool and spa, plus dining establishments with a total of 600 seats.

Moreover, the casino resort is expected to feature 15,000 square feet of multipurpose space. This part of the venue would have a separate entrance from the casino in an effort to attract family-style events, according to Garrett.

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Cherokees' Pope County casino still on hold as tribe works to dismiss lawsuits and break ground - Yogonet International

BOWLER, Wis. (WAOW) -- Several former casino workers are speaking out after losing their jobs.

They say it's all because of their refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

On November 19, employees at the Northstar Mohican Casino and Resort received a letter saying a new vaccine mandate had been approved and would apply to all tribal employees.

The casino, owned by the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians, gave a deadline of January 4.

"I put in my religious exemption, and I had some supporting documentation of what I believe," said former employee Lisa Miller.

Miller worked at the casino for nearly 30 years. She says while the tribe approved her religious exemption, they denied her accomodation.

She was "voluntarily separated" from her job.

"I'm a dedicated employee. I get exceptional evaluations every year, I don't call in, I don't come in late," she said. "Just the complete lack of caring for quality employees is disturbing."

She's not alone.

Sandy Lawyer worked at the casino for nearly twelve years. She says the way she lost her job felt like a slap in the face.

"Now I'm out of a job, and being an older person, I have to start all over again," she said.

According to the employee letter, signed by President Shannon Holsey, the tribe says it cannot guarantee accomodation even with an exemption, saying "matters of public health necessitate difficult choices for the greater good of our community."

Still, at least 9 former employees are now left wondering what's next.

"It's scary for sure," Miller said. "I have a couple of irons in the fire but I don't have a job to go to tomorrow."

News 9 made multiple attempts to reach out to the Stockbridge-Munsee tribe for comment, but did not hear back.

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Former casino employees say they were fired for refusal to get COVID vaccine - WAOW

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - News 10 has learned that Full House Resorts will drop its lawsuit against the Indiana Gaming Commission.

This will allow Churchill Downs to begin the process of building a casino in Terre Haute.

Full House sued the Indiana Gaming Commission last month, claiming the commission violated the Indiana open door law during its November meeting.

That's when the commission selected Churchill Downs to operate the Terre Haute casino.

Last month, Lucy Luck Gaming dropped its appeal against a commission decision not to renew its gaming license in 2021.

Churchill Downs submitted plans to build a casino behind the Haute City Center.

The company's ceo says it's open to moving the casino to the I-70, State Road 46 interchange.

We'll have much more on this story later today on News 10.

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Full House Resorts drops casino-related lawsuit, clearing the road for Churchill Downs - WTHITV.com

As CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc., I have been deeply involved in the Keep the Money in Nebraska campaign, which was successful in getting Nebraska voters to authorize expanded gaming at Nebraskas existing six horse tracks.

The existing tracks are located at Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, South Sioux City, Columbus and Hastings. A big part of the campaign messaging was that tying the expansion to the horse tracks was going to be a limited and rational approach to gaming expansion in Nebraska.

Our plan was simple: We would build a few strong casinos at the states existing tracks and use some of the gambling proceeds to support more horse races with stronger purses. This would be an economic and tax boost for the state and the cities where the tracks were located. The operations would also bring back to Nebraska some of the gaming revenue lost to surrounding states. In addition, the expanded horse racing would also be an added income source for rural Nebraska because the horses will need to be bred, fed and trained.

Casino gambling is legal in every state that touches Nebraska. Since we are very late to the gaming party, we are going to need to come out strong with large-scale, amenity-rich facilities to compete with the surrounding states. The Iowa casinos in Council Bluffs are certainly not going to just roll over. They are run by international gaming corporations with very deep pockets. Ho-Chunk Inc. intends to invest more than $500 million in Omaha and Lincoln alone. I believe the WarHorse Lincoln facility will be the largest single real estate project in Lincolns history.

There is a problem, though. Earlier this year, several new tracks were proposed. At some point, a few tracks might make sense in areas of the state that dont have any representation, but tracks proposed in Bellevue and York are problematic for several reasons.

The big three tracks are in Omaha, Lincoln and Grand Island. These are tracks that have kept the racing industry alive and are the tracks that will lead the revival of the industry. It is important to understand that these tracks are owned by benevolent horse associations, not individuals or large corporations.

Individually owned tracks proposed in Bellevue and York are just opportunists trying to get a free ride on the hard work of the existing tracks. If new horse tracks are built in those cities, it will greatly diminish the gaming revenue at the big three tracks. If the market is divided into small slices, the existing tracks will then have to scale back before they even have started construction. These smaller facilities will have trouble competing with the casinos in Iowa and other surrounding states, which will defeat one of the original premises of the Keep the Money in Nebraska campaign.

I realize I run a company with the rights to develop three of the largest markets in Nebraska, however, I think simple economics supports my approach. We need to be strategic when considering expansion. We need to allow the long-suffering existing tracks to build and stabilize their gaming operations. We should then examine what parts of the state might benefit from one or two more facilities without cannibalizing and weakening existing facilities.

Iowa has taken a very calculated approach to expansion. Iowa has conducted several economic studies over the years and the two primary factors in expansion are preventing cannibalization of existing facilities and whether the new facilities could attract customers from surrounding states, like Nebraska.

As a Husker fan, I have trouble writing this next part, but I believe Nebraska needs to follow a similar approach as Iowa, which limits unwise, unwarranted and unwanted gaming expansion. Casinos in Iowa almost killed horse racing in Nebraska. If we are not careful with gaming expansion, we might kill horse racing again before it even starts.

Lance Morgan is a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and the CEO of Ho-Chunk Inc. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Harvard Law School.

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OTHER VOICES: Nebraska must be smart about what casino operations it allows - Sioux City Journal

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. Atlantic Citys casinos are forging ahead with ambitious new projects in 2022, even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to make it harder to do business.

And noncasino projects involving family entertainment, education and the offshore wind industry will take flight in the new year.

But challenges lurk, as well.

In-person gambling revenue at seven of the nine casinos is down compared with 2019, before the pandemic hit. Sports betting and internet gambling revenue has filled some of the gap, but that money must be shared with third parties, including technology platforms and sports books, and is not solely for the casinos to keep.

A law passed signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in December gives the casinos some relief from big increases in payments they were due to pay to Atlantic City, Atlantic County and the schools system in lieu of property taxes.

A big unknown is how long and how seriously the COVID-19 pandemic, and particularly the fast-spreading omicron variant, will affect customers willingness to come out and gamble in person in 2022.

And a big challenge is right around the corner when New York begins allowing people to bet on phones or other mobile devices anywhere in the state, as soon as January but almost certainly in time for the Super Bowl in February.

Gambling industry executives and analysts expect New Jersey to lose at least 20 percent of its sports betting volume as New York residents who formerly had to cross over into New Jersey to bet will be able to do it at or close to home.

Mark Giannantonio, president of Resorts casino, said he is tremendously optimistic for a great year in 2022.

Starting in February, Resorts is renovating its rooftop pool, adding a retractable roof to enable it to be used year-round. Resorts also is investing $5 million into new table games and slot machines, remodeling its high-limit slots area, and creating a new VIP Asian-themed room.

The Ocean Casino Resort plans to begin a $75 million project in spring or summer to finish 12 floors of hotel rooms that were never completed when the casino first opened as Revel in 2012.

Caesars casino will start work in 2022 on a new theater and resident show due to open in the first quarter of 2023. The project will incorporate the facade of the former Warner Theatre from 1929, which is currently part of the casinos exterior facing the Boardwalk.

Also planned for Caesars in 2022 is a new restaurant opened by a hospitality company involving actor Robert De Niro that also will renovate hotel rooms there. Caesars Entertainment is partnering with Nobu Hospitality for a project to be called Nobu Hotel Atlantic City.

Ballys will unveil 750 renovated hotel rooms, a redone hotel lobby and bar, and an indoor-outdoor entertainment venue in 2022.

A $100 million indoor water park to be built next to the former Showboat casino, which now operates as a nongambling hotel, plans a ground breaking for early 2022.

Atlantic City will host a three-day country music concert on the beach in August headlined by Luke Bryan and Morgan Wallen.

Construction is to begin in 2022 on a new ShopRite supermarket in Atlantic City, designed to end the citys status as a food desert without a major supermarket. The project should open in 2023.

Stockton University hopes to complete a new student residence hall in the city in 2022.

Atlantic City will play a big role in the burgeoning offshore wind energy industry. Atlantic Cape Community College plans to open a wind energy workforce training center on its city campus in the fall, and wind developer Orsted hopes to start work in 2022 on a maintenance and operations center in Atlantic City to support its offshore wind projects in the area.

And a plan that has gotten little attention outside of Atlantic City but which will affect most visitors to the city is due to begin in 2022.

The city plans to reduce Atlantic Avenue, one of its two main north-south thoroughfares, from two lanes in each direction to one lane in each direction, in the name of pedestrian safety.

But many residents and businesses oppose the plan, predicting that traffic that is already difficult to navigate under current conditions will become even worse with only one lane in each direction.

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Atlantic City casinos betting new investments will pay off - Press Herald

The state law prevents entertainment venues ranging in size from 1,000 to 3,500 seats from being built in casinos. But Wynn plans to build the venue across the street from the Encore property and bring in a separate business, most likely Big Night Entertainment Group, to operate it. And Wynn says the venue will operate without a subsidy from the casino.

Mid-sized theater businesses still fret they will face unfair competition, particularly after Wynn held some shows in the casino ballroom before the pandemic began.

We thought we had addressed this early on when they passed the legislation, said Troy Siebels, president of the 2,300-seat Hanover Theatre in Worcester. Perhaps its not technically in the casino law but it still seems pretty clear that its not in the spirit of the legislation. It seems like a way to skirt the rules.

Siebels said he plans to write a letter to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission by January, to convey his concerns. Many major cities in the state such as Lynn, Lowell, and New Bedford have flagship theaters similar to his that could be affected, Siebels said.

Bill Blumenreich, a promoter who runs the 1,100-seat Wilbur in Boston and the 1,875-seat Chevalier in Medford, said he is consulting with an attorney about what steps he should take next. He attended a planning commission meeting in Everett earlier this month to raise his objections to city officials.

I dont think it will stand up in court, Blumenreich said. The city of Medford and myself are considering hiring a lawyer who is going to protect our rights and make sure the Encore is following the law.

Executives at Wynn and Big Night who are in final discussions about operating the new venue say the theater operators are overreacting. Michael Weaver, spokesman for Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts, said the events center in Everett would be leased to Big Night, which would run it as a for-profit operation financially independent of the casino.

It is our expectation that Big Night will operate the venue based on the same financial metrics it uses to operate all of its local venues, Weaver said in a statement, and will make programming decisions according to what it believes will be both popular and profitable for itself.

In a separate statement, Big Night partner Ed Kane emphasized the proposed venues independence from Wynn.

The community of Everett has been deprived of an independent event space for decades, Kane said. This is an opportunity for Everett to enjoy a first-class, multi-use, independently managed facility of its own.

The prospect of new competition comes at a tough time for the live event industry, as venues try to recover from a year-plus-long shutdown due to COVID-19.

Coronavirus cases are surging, and shows are starting to be postponed again. And local operators received relatively little aid in the $4 billion stimulus package recently approved by state lawmakers. In particular, the theater industry sought to create a pilot program for new tax credits for big-budget theatrical productions but did not succeed.

There are several ... historic venues that already exist in a very competitive market, said Erica Lynn Schwartz, a vice president with Ambassador Theatre Group, which runs the Emerson Colonial Theatre in Boston. Especially coming out of the pandemic, it is very difficult to understand how another venue is needed when the already established venues who mean so much to their communities need to thrive.

Boch Center chief executive Joe Spaulding said hes also somewhat worried, and he already has a business relationship with Wynn the casino company is one of the Boch Centers lead sponsors and helps underwrite some of the centers community work. Spaulding said he has already conveyed his concerns to Wynn management. He also has reason to hope the new facility wont hurt the Boch Center, which runs the Wang and Shubert theaters in Boston: From what he can tell, the layout of the Everett venue will be geared more for trade shows than for concerts.

Im hopeful to work with Ed on some shows, Spaulding said, so rather than hurting each other, were helping each other.

Jon Chesto can be reached at jon.chesto@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @jonchesto.

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Could a concert venue across the street from the Encore Casino hurt Boston-area theaters? - BetaBoston

As 2021 comes to a close, The Starlooksback at stories that most interested readers.

By reviewing the number of pageviews at ShelbyStar.com, heres a look back of the good and the bad that happened in Cleveland County this year:

More: Get a glimpse of the Catawba Two Kings Casino

The Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain has been the talk of the regionfor years. As the opening of the temporary gambling spacesneared, readers couldnt wait to know more.

Ahead of the July 1 opening, The Star shared all there was to know to prepare people for their visit to the prelaunch site at538 Kings Mountain Blvd.

A second story with photos from inside the casino also tempted readers as they readied to try out the slots.The articles placed twice in our top 10 read of the year.

More: Chick-fil-A to be closed for about two months

The constant lineof carswrapped around the Chick-fil-A on East Dixon Boulevard in Shelby makes it clear that residents want their nuggets and waffle fries.And so does the number of readers who wanted all the details about the location closing for renovations.

The popular restaurant closed in January to make upgrades and reopened tohungry customers a couple of months later.

Shelbys other Chick-fil-A location in Cleveland Mall also closed for renovations in 2020.

More: Kings Mountain plant closing, 379 workers to lose jobs

In the spring,ABB-Baldor in Kings Mountainannounced it would be closing its doors.

ABB-Baldorattributed the closure to negative market conditions in oil, gas and mining industries, as well as overlap between the functions of the Kings Mountain plant and other company factories.

More than 350 employees were expected to lose their jobs.

Since 1983 ABB of Kings Mountain has manufactured large industrial electric motors. The plant was one of two ABB-Baldor locations in Cleveland County. The company closed its Shelby location in 2020.

More: "The most well-fed homeless cat" in Shelby: Uptown says goodbye to the coolest cat in town

When prominent members of the community pass away,friends and family find ways to remember them.

When a familiar feline died last summer in Shelby,AA United Cab Co. crematedhim and put a placard on a bench in uptown.

Blackie the cat made Shelby streets his home and the cab company his home base for 13 years.

He was pretty much the community cat, AA United Cab Co. dispatcher Tony Hamrick said in July.

More: Two bodies found inside car at Atrium Health Cleveland in Shelby

On May 10, Shelby Police and Atrium Health Security responded to the parking lot of Atrium Health-Clevelandwhen two men were found dead inside a car.

David Wade Cash of Shelby and Steven Curtis Campbell of North Myrtle Beach were discovered by someone passing by the vehicle.

Early on, investigators said they did not suspect foul play.It was later determined the two men died of an overdose.

More: Man charged with murder after his ex-girlfriend was found with a gunshot wound to the head

Investigators were called to the 500 block of Borders Road off of Oak Grove Road outside of Shelby around 2 a.m. on Aug. 31.

When they arrived, deputies found Jennie Kay Deal dead from a gunshot wound to the head.

Twenty-two-year-old Nicholas Eric Curtis was soon charged with felony murder, possession of a firearm by a felon and probation violation. He remains in Cleveland County jail on a $500,000 bond.

More: Sheriff: Inmate fails to lead investigators to Asha Degree

Cleveland County residents and beyond continue to question what happened to Asha Degree22 years ago.

Then 9 years old, Degree went missing on Feb. 14, 2000. Despite efforts by the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office and the FBI, her disappearance remains amystery.

In 2020, an inmate in custody of the N.C. Department of Corrections wrote The Star saying he had information about what happened to her.

Because of the COVID crisis and lockdown in correctional facilities, local investigators did not immediately go to interview Marcus Mellon, who wasconvictedof sex crimes against children in 2014.

Ultimately, Cleveland County Sheriff Alan Norman said interviews with Mellon were not fruitful and did not produce any new leads.

More: Shelby teen killed in spray of gunfire on Lenoir Drive

Investigators were called to Frederick Street in Shelby around 10 p.m. on April 6. Someone had fired into a party gathered outside and struck three people who were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Four hours later while they were still at that residence, investigators heard shots fired on Lenoir Drive about 100 feet away.

They ran over to find 18-year-oldDaquarriusRaquan Sanders suffering a single gunshot wound. He was taken to Atrium Health-Cleveland where he succumbed to his injuries. No arrest has been made in the case.

More: Mother of slain Shelby teen: 'I want to make sure they pay'

Gun violence erupted again on Nov. 9, when 16-year-oldSkyteriaEva Poston was shot in the back.

Fleeing the gunman outside of her house that afternoon, the Shelby High School student died on her front porch.

Arrest warrants have been issued for 20-year-old Santana Almont Eaves Jr. of Shelby, but so far, he has eluded capture.The U.S. Marshals Service has since offered a $5,000 reward leading to his arrest. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Diane Turbyfill can be reached at 704-669-3334 and dturbyfill@shelbystar.com.

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From Kings Casino to Chick-fil-A, here are the top 10 stories that caught readers' eyes in 2021 - Shelby Star