Keep the new games coming. Some may enjoy the classic games they have always played, but for those who frequent casinos they like to see what’s new. They enjoy trying new games, picking new favorites, and enjoy the variety. Casinos have to keep up not only with technology, but with the latest trends, fads, and fashions to keep their games, especially slot games, current and enticing. The Fantasy Springs Resort Casino has been doing just that. They are very happy to announce they will be adding new games to their casino floor enriching the players excitement, experience, and hopefully, their wallet.

The Fantasy Springs Resort Casino already offers championship golf, headline entertainment, fine dining, luxurious hotel rooms, and hot casino action. However, Vice President of Casino Operations, Lou Crescenzo feels the casino must always have the hottest slot machines. “They have to be fun and user friendly,” he says. “We also make sure we keep machines on the floor that are dear to people’s hearts. Wheel of Fortune, I Dream of Jeannie and others have been casino favorites for years, and likely will continue to be.” As much as he loves the old favorites he also wants to keep the ball rolling with new games.

One of the new games the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino will be adding to its casino floor is ‘Jeff Foxworthy’s Redneck Rumble.” The game is a penny slot game that is just what is sounds like it should be. Players will enjoy familiar themes associated with the comedian and his “redneck” way of life. Bonus games include items such as trucks, fishing trophies and televisions. When a player hits three or more TV’s they will be able to play either the Truck-O-War, Stink Bait, or Foxworthy Free bonus games. The Fantasy Springs Resort Casino also added multi-game slots that feature favorites like, Fire House, Kitty Glitter, Cats, and Lil’ Lady.

There is a growing concern in the United Kingdom over the future of horse racing venues throughout the British Isles. Of course the economy has played a part. People just don’t seem to be betting as much. However, the real concern comes down to some politics. The British Horeseracing Authority, or BHA, is worried that beloved, smaller, local racetracks could be in danger of closing if the British government does not act soon to reform the betting levy on horse racing. Currently there is 10 percent levy, or tax, on all domestic horeseracing gambling bets. The money from the levy goes back into the horeseracing industry. In the past the levy has brought a considerable amount of money to the horeseracing industry. Three years ago £116 million (Over $167.7 million US) was brought in by the levy. Predictions for the current season are closer to £77 million ($111.3 million US). This is well under what the BHA figured it needed to operate as usual.

The BHA has argued that the recent liberalization of online gambling laws has negatively affected their industry. Online gambling companies such as William Hill and Ladbrokes have taken their business overseas where they are not subjected to the levy. The BHA also claims that the government has not fully established its relationship with the horeseracing industry. The rules that prevented a proliferation of online gambling sites have been relaxed. This has allowed close to 60 percent of the bookmakers to fall below the point of having to pay the levy.

“We are at the crunch point and those solutions have to be applied by the government and the levy Board because bookmakers will continue to exploit the loopholes to their maximum advantage, to the detriment of racing,” said BHA Chief Executive Officer, Nic Coward. He has strenuously stated that the online gambling and bookmaking issue needs to be addressed in the coming weeks, or many of the venues will pass the point of recovery.

Microgaming is the industry leader in online casino and gambling software. They basically invented online casino software over a decade ago, and has since continually grown, expanded, updated, upgraded, and produced the most innovative and the best online gaming software in the world. Their status in the online gambling community has made Microgaming the most sought after software platform. Its license means success for those who acquire it. Betware has been around almost as long as Microgaming. They too have earned the reputation as being one of the best suppliers of turnkey gaming solutions on the market. They offer games and products that can be customized to fit almost any customers needs. Their products are found in lottery systems the world over.

The two powerhouse, online gambling industry companies are joining hands. Betware recently announced they have reached a deal with Microgaming to sell Microgaming’s platform of online casino games to state lotteries. Betware will be able to market Microgaming’s product on top of their own existing software platform. This will give state lotteries that use Betware solutions to offer a wider more exciting range of games in addition to the superb product they already have. Close to eighty-five games from Microgaming will be added to the Betware portfolio.

Microgaming Chief Executive Officer, Roger Raatgever commented, “We are delighted to be able to license our casino games to Betware, which is truly a market leader in its field.” He went on to say that he is excited to combine Microgaming’s product with the long history of Betware and its fantastic reputation. Chief Executive Officer for Betware, Stefan Hrafnkelsson, returned the compliments by saying, “We are very proud and excited to be licensed to sell and market Microgaming’s casino games to growing markets.” He added that he thought, ultimately the partnership would be beneficial for not only both companies involved, but the state lotteries and players with whom Betware is associated

Instant scratch cards may be the most popular form of gambling. They may be so popular that most people who use them probably don’t even realize they are gambling. Who hasn’t stopped by the gas station or convenient mart and picked up a scratch game from the local lottery? Who hasn’t received one in a birthday card or a Christmas stocking? Most people love them because they are easy to play, have instant results, and lots of winners. Even winning small amounts from an instant win scratch card seems like a victory. It is far more gratifying to win one dollar playing the scratch off lottery ticket than it is to win the same dollar from a casino slot game.

Instant win scratch cards are even make a sizable splash in the online casino and gambling pool. They are not quite the powerhouse that online slots or online poker games are, but they do have a significant foothold in the industry. There are even companies like NeoGames that dedicated solely to developing online scratch off games. Some online casinos use them as a viable source of online gambling. They are treated much the same way that online slots or online bingo games. Some sites use them as side games. Players can enjoy scratching off a few cards while they are waiting for poker hands to play out or keno numbers to come in.

Club Hollywood Online Casino has recently released two new online instant win scratch off games, and they are very excited about them. “Permutations in scratch card games give players higher probabilities of winning the biggest payouts,” said Club Hollywood Marketing Manager, Carlo B. Pharaoh’s Kingdom and Winner Club each have fun graphics and are run by the latest in online instant win scratch card technology. Pharaoh’s Kingdom is obviously Egyptian themed and has prizes that could equal out to $10,000. Winners Club has a variety of cards and is linked to a progressive jackpot.

Those who are a part of the online casino and gambling community are familiar with the group Right2Bet. Right2Bet is an activist group that promotes and protects citizens right to choose what kind of online gambling in which they wish to protect. According to their website Right2Bet’s mission is to, “ensure that the principles of economic freedom in the European Union are applied as fairly to betting and gaming as they are to any other sector.” In a nut shell this mean free trade is one of the cornerstones of the European Union. Right2Bet feels that online gambling is a product or a service like any other and should be treated as such.

One of the major problems Right2Bet has with some European Union member nations is state run online gambling monopolies. A few European Union states only allow their citizens to gambling online in with sites that are controlled and run by the state. Governments believe they are doing their best to protect consumers. Right2Bet feels the monopolies actually hurt the consumers. Right2Bet has ferociously stated that state run monopolies are inferior products to online gambling ventures run through the private sector. Inferior products force the online gambling public out to the black market where they are not protected. Right2Bet feels that if the governments were to accept regulated online gambling throughout the European Union their citizens would not only enjoy a better online gambling product, but better consumer protection.

Recently the European Union Council released their progress report on online casinos and gambling laws. It was no surprise when Right2Bet came out with harsh criticism. Right2Bet took special exception to the wording of the definition of what the Council considers to be illegal online gambling. “Illegal gambling may be defined as gambling in which operators do not comply with the national law of the country where services are offered, provided those national laws are in accordance with EU Treaty principles.” Right2Bet can not define how to measure whether or not national laws meet EU standards.

The case Right2Bet has against EU online gambling practices will go on for what seems like forever. They make pretty strong claims and are never afraid to express them. On a lighter note, check out their Renegade Ref series online. It makes a point, but it also makes you laugh.

The casino hotel world felt the tragedy of a huge loss this March when president and chief executive officer of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was found dead. Randy Kwasniewski was found in his home March 9, the victim of an apparent suicide. The Hard Rock Hotel family went through an understandable time of mourning, but knew the time would come when a new president and chief executive officer would have to be named. Last week they made such an announcement. Even though heart’s were still heavy, the Hard Rock Hotel was happy to reveal that Joseph Magliarditi would be the head of the company.

Mr. Magliarditi is no stranger to the casino hotel industry. He has been a the chief operating officer for M Resorts since 2009. He has also held an executive position for Marnell Sher Gaming. His resume also boasts time with the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino and Harrah’s Entertainment. Mr. Magliarditi brings sixteen years of experience in the casino hotel industry with him to the Hard Rock Hotel. This goes on top of his time as the chief operating officer of a top software company. Mr. Magliarditi stated, “I am excited to join the Morgans Hotel Group and Hard Rock teams.”

Morgans Hotel Group has made some changes to the way its Hard Rock Hotel and Casino operates. They had to. After opening two new hotel towers, the 492 room Paradise Tower and the 375 room HRH Tower; expanding meeting and concert space and other additions the casino hotel has been posting record lows in revenues. “I don’t think I need to tell you that this is a facility that requires, demands, adult supervision,” said Morgans Hotel Group Chief Executive Officer, Fred Kleisner. He also stated that with the hiring of Kevin Magliarditi, that the pieces were all in place. Hopefully this new leadership will turn the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino around and get it moving in the right direction again.

Atlantic City New Jersey has been in a slump for almost three years. The economy zapped its customer base. Sadly, though, that is not all. Atlantic City just isn’t the casino hotel town it used to be. The famous boardwalk and its glitzy casinos are deteriorating not only on the surface, but with their customers. Now that Pennsylvania has expanded its gambling laws so that casinos can host table games and New York City, Atlantic City’s biggest feeder market, is on the verge of getting its own casino, there does not seem to be much hope for Atlantic City. There are some entrepreneurs out there that feel the city still has some life. All they have to do is keep pumping blood to it,and by blood I mean money.

Money brings new casino and casino hotel venues to Atlantic City. One of the most watched projects is the Las Vegas style Revel Hotel and Casino. The mammoth project has seen some financial woes, but the exterior is close to completion. The bad news is, one of the major investors is trying to pull out of the project. Wall Street giant Morgan Stanley has invested $1.2 million in Revel, but now they want to sell their stake in the project.

The Revel Hotel and Casino Chief Executive Officer, Kevin DeSanctis, optimistically believes he can keep the project going. Speaking to reporters at the East Coast Gaming Conference, he announced he wanted to be a bidder and buy out his former partner. “It’s a natural. I’m the most logical person, if you will.” He told reporters that he has been working on the casino project for over three years, and he was not ready to give up. He feels that Revel is instrumental to bringing restoring Atlantic City to its former glory. He strongly suggested that anyone who saw Revel from the outside would realize that the inside would be just as impressive. the interior of the project has yet to be started.

The judge who has been hearing the Station Casinos’ case has taken his time getting all the information he needs to make a sensible ruling in the case. Judge Gregg Zive heard hours of testimony. So much so that he has prolonged his ruling process. He has recently announced that he is close to making his decision. Of course, this was after five more hours of testimony. At the time of the writing of this article he had not formally made his ruling. However, he did leave indications as to what direction he was headed. “I think we all understand where we want to be at the end of the day,” he commented. He was referring to getting the best price for the casinos and keeping the employees of the casinos in question working. “I think we’re at a place where we can do that.”

In an exchange with a attorney for the unsecured creditors he states that he, “…did not have any problems with the bidding procedure.” He commented that he thought the process was appropriate. Judge Zive also plans to rule on whether or not Culinary Local 226 can participate in the hearings. The union represents a committee of casino workers who have filed objections with Station Casinos reorganization plan. Judge Zive told their attorney, Kristin Martin, that they had no basis to participate and that they could file their objections in court. He told her, “I don’t even know if there is a committee.”

Judge Zive reiterated that he would take a hands on approach to the Station Casinos bankruptcy bidding process. “If there is an auction, I will control the auction,” admitting that was a foreshadowing.” He has stated that he is a believer in the process. He will be confirming any plans of reorganization and that no sale would be final until the it has gone through the complete process. These statements are a good indication as to how Judge Zive will rule.

Twists and turns, thrills and spills, ups and downs! That might be the best way to describe the bankruptcy case that Station Casinos has been going through. The case has been in and out of court and has become highly publicized and hotly debated. Station Casinos is trying to reorganize their efforts to keep the casino and casino resort properties. The founding family has created a new company, Fertitta Gaming and together with real estate investor Colony Capital and two of Station Casinos’ lenders, JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank want to retain control of Station Casinos’ four largest properties. These properties are Boulder Station, Palace Station, Red Rock Resort, and Sunset Station. They are also trying to keep the Wild Wild West Casino in their grips. The rest of their properties would be sold off in a U.S. Bankruptcy Court auction.

Some of Station Casinos’ lenders, mainly unsecured creditors, feel that the plan is unfair. They are particularly opposed to Station Casinos’ wish to sell the remaining properties as one entity. The creditors feel they will be able to get bigger bids and make more money if the properties are sold separately. This dispute has made its way into the courts and onto the headlines. “We’ve been at hand-to-hand combat on this since December,’ said Deutsche Bank Attorney, Sandy Qusba. He continued, “If this deal is blown up, we’ll be mired in litigation.”

Fertitta Gaming, Colony Capital, and the lenders are also trying to make themselves the “stalking horse” bidder for the remaining eleven properties. A stalking horse bidder basically starts the bidding process. In this case it will allow the Station Casinos group to keep itself from being undersold. The unsecured debtors are claiming this bid is a “poison pill.” The $75 million stalking horse bid could keep potential bidders from entering the process. There are also legal considerations to be contended with as Station Casinos’ Founder, Frank Fertitta Jr’s., widow, Victoria owns some of the land. Some also claim that if the Fertitta Gaming Group wins the bid they will have to pay nothing for the new casinos.

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe of Native Americans are one of Idaho’s largest employers. A University of Idaho study released in April stated that the tribe issued paychecks for 1,699 people. The majority of the employees work for the Coeur d’Alene Tribe run Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel near Worley, Idaho. The Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel already offers jobs to thousands of workers, they also enjoy a reputation of being a top rated casino. The casino property offers not only fabulous gaming action, but championship golf, luxurious hotel rooms, shopping, and first class dining. Of course they are able to do it with a stunning Iowan backdrop and an influx of influence of the Coeur d’Alene art and culture.

As much fun as their casino action is, in the current economic climate it is their job creation that is gathering headlines. For at least two years the Coeur d’Alene Tribe leaders have wanted to expand the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel. A plan was devised that came up to close to $75 million in upgrades. The upgrades are coming to almost every area of the casino resort, starting with hotel accommodations. The Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel will be adding two four story towers on the east side of the casino property. The two new towers will house ninety-eight new rooms. One of the new wings will include a 15,000 square foot spa and pool.

The Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel will also see upgrades to some of it dining and lounging venues. The other of the new hotel wings will also include a gourmet steakhouse. There are also plans for an indoor/outdoor pub and eatery located adjacent to the front entrance. Plans for the expansion also include a grassy park in front of the property which could be used as an amphitheater or for firework displays.

The end result should be exciting for the casino, but it is what they are doing now that is exciting for Iowans. The expansion will create new jobs in construction and casino resort positions. Coeur d’Alene spokesperson, Bob Bostwick said, “The tribe sees this as a way to continue its investment in the region and in the community.” Casinos in the United States seem to be doing there part to help stimulate the economy and put Americans back to work.