A New Jersey anti-smoking group started this week a campaign against isolated smoking areas in casinos. They argue that these areas increase smoke contamination inside and out the smoking areas, as proved by readings they took on gaming floors in Rhode Island.
According to Regina Carlson, executive director of the group called New Jersey Group Against Smoking Pollution, the more tightly you concentrate the pollution sources, the more highly you increase the pollution.
Cherokee Nation authorities announced this week that they will soon start a $125 million expansion of their biggest casino. The expansion will include a new hotel tower and a convention center to be built around the existing facilities.
The current casino and resort will be expanded by 125 percent, which will make it the largest casino in Oklahoma, according to David Stewart, chief executive officer of Cherokee Nation Enterprises.
The authorities of the Horseshoe Casino in Indiana have announced that the expansion of the Casino will start this week. More than $485 million will be spent to build a floating gambling hall six times the size of the current riverboat. The complex is expected to open in summer 2008.
When the construction finishes, the gambling venue will house twice the number of slot machines and table games as the current Horseshoe. The new, larger casino is expected to help Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., keep its competitive advantage in the Indiana market.
Las Vegas based Eighth Wonder has included Brazilian soccer star Pele in its team, hoping that this move will help them obtain Singapore’s second casino license. A 5,000-seat stadium named after Pele will be part of Harry’s Island gaming and leisure resort if Eighth Wonders wins the bidding.
The soccer star will also be in charge of the Pele Sports Academy that will promote youth participation in sports. “Pele will become Harry's Island ambassador for goodwill, sportsmanship and the pursuit of excellence," a spokesperson for the company said.
This week, Rhode Island voters rejected a proposal that would have allowed Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., and the Narragansett Indian Tribe to build a casino in West Warwick. Days before the ballot, Governor Donald Carcieri said he was worried that a new casino would harm the businesses of the two gaming facilities in the state, Newport Grand and Lincoln Park.
Governor Carcieri was especially concerned because the two gaming facilities give to the state 60 percent of their gaming revenue. On the other hand, the new casino supporters claimed that it would generate jobs and economic profits.
Steve Wynn was at his office showing to some friends the Picasso canvas he just sold to another collector when he accidentally gave “The Dream” an elbow.
The canvas was recently sold in $139 million in a bid that established a new record in Picasso’s sales. But now the sale was suspended because of the accident.
Traffic was closed off on Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo Road due to a fire at the Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Dark smoke and flames could be seen from far and the fire department arrived immediately in several trucks.
According to the official report of the Clark County Fire department, the fire started because a construction cover secured to a decorative tower on the Venetian was overheated by a light. Fortunately, it was contained.
Other Asian countries could see the monetary advantage of building casinos after Singapore boosted on casinos and build entertainment complexes in the next years, according to a top executive of Las Vegas Sands corp.
According to his declarations, other Asian countries could see the benefits of the gambling industry and say: “If it is good enough for Singapore, why not for us?”
James Bond is afraid of heights, or at least Daniel Craig is. The 38-year-old actor confessed his fear when confronted to a scene that involved a 60-meter-high crane.
The actor has been quoted as saying that it was borderline fear and fun, but that he knew he had to do the part so he overcame his panic. But this is not the first time he had to confront his fear; similar phobia symptoms had previously appeared when shooting fight scenes on a high flight of stairs.
Bally Technologies Inc., one of the biggest gambling machines manufacturers, announced it signed an agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida to provide it with server-based gambling systems and more than 6,200 machines.
