Intralot continues to gain ground with its United States partners as it acquires another online contract in the Ohio Market. In the strict competition for separate markets, Intralot has now won over two different factions in Ohio. First, they took on the contract for The Ohio Lottery Commission, then they recently won the contract for Ohio Department of Administrative Services.

This new venture will cause Intralot to create a ticketing system that is efficient and refined to benefit the state of Ohio gambling ventures. The contract will consist of two years and is expected to produce$5.5 million a year. Beyond this first year, there are also potential contracts waiting in the wings for two more extensions on this current contract.

“The technology solution that we will provide Ohio will increase operational efficiencies and revenue for Ohio public schools,” said Tom Little, President and Chief Executive Officer for Intralot USA.

“We are thrilled about the opportunity to deepen our working relationship with Ohio Lottery Commission to benefit the citizens of Ohio.”

“Being a partner of the Ohio Lottery is a great honour that strengthens our determination to offer unique, pioneering

products and services to improve the Lottery’s performance.”

Both parties appear to be very happy with the new partnership based on previous working within the state.

“We are very satisfied that the Ohio Lottery Commission, after our first contract, has selected Intralot to provide additional services,” said Constantinos Antonopoulos, Chief Executive Officer for Intralot.

“We look forward to leveraging Intralot’s instant gaming technologies to increase lottery revenues generated for public education in Ohio,” said Michael Dolan, Director for the Ohio Lottery Commission.

Currently the Ohio Lottery, which began in 1974, is the 10^th largest lottery in the United States. Last year this lottery raked in a total sales of $2.3 billion. This is a huge task in a country where gambling is under great scrutiny.

Technology continues to impress gamblers as the heightened security in online casino gambling is increased. Today many companies are fighting for the best improvements to keep online gamblers safe. One of the newest forms of technology will actually allow players to be identified in the sign up phase of the online casino gambling process.

Pinnacle Entertainment has received high praise from two of Wall Street analysts. Joe Greff, a JP Morgan analyst told the investors, “One can think of Pinnacle as a two-trick pony.”

Greff is referring to the L’Auberge du Lac in Lake Charles, La., and Lumiere Place in St. Louis. Last year both resorts saw huge profits. The L’Auberge rose 6 percent making their revenue $342.6 million and the Lumiere finished its introductory year with $194.5 million.

“Pinnacle has been able to generate gaming revenues in the market above its fair share of capacity,” Macquarie Securities gaming analyst Joel Simkins said.

Chief Executive officer Dan Lee is proud of his two casinos, but also does not want to discount his casinos in other states such as Indiana. In response to Greff’s comment, lee stated, “I think we’re a little more diverse than that.”

Pinnacle also has three casinos in Louisiana as well as Texas, and they attribute their successes to a booming oil industry. The St. Louis, Lumiere has been successful in growth thanks in some part to gaining access to fans that attend the sporting events.

“We believe that lenders are starting to warm up to certain companies, primarily those with modest leverage and respectable interest coverage ratios,” Simkins said.

According to Simkins Pinnacle has the ability to continue growing revenue in the next few years at a steady pace. The projected change would be a 3 percent increase this year (from the 13 percent increase of 2008 totaling $1 billion). Frm there Simkins estimates a 13 percent growth for 2010, and 18 percent for 2011.

These numbers are estimates, and some of the growth is projected by including future growth within the company as far as expanding casinos into other markets.

The results have been released and only two companies made it to the fortune 500 list. Both Harrah’s and the MGM Mirage have secured there spot on the list, however their placement has been different than past years.

According to Fortune magazine, Walmart has fallen into the number 2 spot as Exxon has now taken the lead in 2009. Walmart has had the number 1 spot for over six years and was finally bested by Exxon who brought in $442.85 in revenue last year. This brings Exxon up 10 percent from its 2007 revenue with its largest profit of $45.2 billion.

Harrah’s placed 263 on the 500 list bringing in a revenue of $10.1 billion. This number shows a decrease of $7billion from last year where Harrahs casino resort took in $10.8 billion.

The MGM Mirage also took a hit this past year, but managed to stay on the charts. Last year the Mirage placed 323 with $7.8 billion and revenue. This year they were down 21 places to number 344 with an annual revenue of $7.2 billion.

Many Nevada companies including casino resorts missed the Fortune 500 list but still received honorable mention.

The Las Vegas Sands Casino Resort placed at number 519 with a $4.4 billion annual revenue. This actually was a positive direction from its previous year where they placed number 681 with a revenue of $2.9 billion.

The Wynn Casino Resorts also climbed this year, but not far enough to break the 500. Last year Wynn placed 731 on the list with a revenue of $2.7 billion. This year the Wynn gained ground as it moved forward to number 691 will an annual revenue of $3 billion.

According to a recent press release, RomePartners is set to launch their newest online casino brand Diceland Casino.

“Rome Casino was founded on the idea that if you treat customers well, and provide a rich entertaining experience, they’ll continue to return.” explains Josh Cartu, CEO of RomePartners.com. This is exactly what has been at the root of all successful online casino companies within the past few years. Cartu went on to say, “…This, coupled with our solid affiliate program and affiliate relationships allows us to provide a win win for both affiliate and consumer.”

With these two powerful relationships, as well as the constant need to expand and partner with other successful companies has caused the leading online companies to become giants in the market.

RomePartners.com was built out of the success of RomCasino which was created to explore alternative target markets in hope of getting untapped potential that other companies have already written off.

“RomePartners.com’s affiliates are engaged and give us excellent feedback which in turn becomes the foundation for our future projects and upgrades.” explained Cartu.

This has always been the mark of a successful company, they draw in the feedback and filter it back into the system to create an experience that everyone can enjoy. This type of model has been shown on a larger scale by companies that have achieved success throughout the years such as Disney, Coca-Cola, McDonalds, and may more.

The key to the success of these companies is their connection to the customers. This is especially true in the online casino market. The competition online is fierce and players only need to feel distrust or not enjoy one experience to cause them to never come back.

Station Casinos in Las Vegas is now being forced to sell off parcels in order to try to get a handle on their mountain of debt. The asking price for these parcels of land is $39.5 million.

It is interesting to see how the time changes and the ccle continues. This property was actually purchased when the Castaways site went bankrupt. It was formerly the Showboat, then became the Station Casinos under the price of $33.7 million for a 30 acre site purchase in October of 2004.

Kevin Higgins of Voit Commercial Brokerage is handling the current transaction that will once again include the Castaway site. The land no longer contains the Castaways 445 room hotel as it was imploded in 2006, and the actual casino had been closed long before that.

There are two more sites that the company is selling near the Boulder Location. One is a vacated spot consisting of 7.96 acres of land that is going for the asking price of $6.1 million, while the other is 4.7 acres of vacant land adjacent to Sunset Station. This piece of property is going for the asking price of $3.99 million.

These sales are an attempt to get the bondholders to agree to a bankruptcy package. Currently, the company has found itself in $2.3 billion debt and is looking for a way to soften the blow.

Besides the $2.3 billion debt to lenders and bondholders, Station Casinos also carries with it a $5.8 billion long term debt. The extension for the bond holders has been to May 15^th.

If Station Casinos gets the bond holders to agree to this package, then they will file for chapter 11, and the Fertitta family, the owners of the gaming company will put $244 million into the company.

According to a year end report, Station Casinos owns or leases 359 acres in Las Vegas, 17 in Northern California, and 204 in Reno. All of these sites are possible for future development.

The Detroit Press has released an article claiming an arrest from a bomb scare near Motor City Casino. The paper reported, “A 70-year-old Eastpointe man has been arrested after police say he left seven suspicious packages in the Motor City Casino garage Sunday.”

In this day and age the United States deals with all suspicious packages in a manner that places the utmost security for the welfare of the people. As casinos are highly populated areas there are strict security measures in place to protect the customers inside.

The packages themselves were questionable. According to Detroit Police Department spokesman James Tate, “They were fashioned to appear to be pipe bombs, but they were no threat.” The gentleman in question was not an employee of the casino, therefore adding to the suspicious nature of him being there. “They used surveillance video, and he was a patron. It’s still unclear on a motive as to why.” said Tate.

According to the press release, “The man was arrested at his home at about 1 a.m. today by Detroit Police’s Violent Crimes Task Force, the Michigan State Police and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The man is being held by Detroit Police as the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office reviews the case today.”

Once the packages were spotted the poilice created a lockdown in order to keep the customers inside the casino safe.

“The bomb scare left hundreds of patrons essentially trapped at the gambling tables after police shut down the parking structure for more than five hours.

“The discovery of a collection of suspicious objects in the structure thought to be bombs — the first spotted by a security guard at about 5:20 p.m. Sunday, according to police — triggered the parking structure lock down…”

No more details have been given surrounding the circumstances of this strange event, or even what items were in the packages. It does appear that no one inside or out of the casino were harmed.

The MGM Mirage has been trouble by financial struggle in the last few months, as well as difficulty in maintaining a partnership with Dubai World concerning the construction of the CityCenter.

The Mirage was forced to pay Dubai Worlds share of last months bill in order to keep the project from being shut down. After that payment, MGM Mirage was still going to be responsible for hitting this month’s deadline of $70 million. This payment was fortunately made on Friday which will enable MG to continue construction on their newest gambling adventure.

Since this time, Dubai World and MGM Mirage have come to an agreement and will pay the $8.7 billion to finish the construction on the CityCenter.

“We are having productive conversations with our partners and our lenders,” MGM Mirage spokesman Gordon Absher said.

There are many skeptics about the completion of this project, “MGM Mirage continues in a high-stakes poker game,” KDP Investment Advisors gaming analyst Barbara Cappaert wrote in a research note Friday.

MGM Mirage Chief Executive Officer, Jim Murren stated, “MGM Mirage is determined to make CityCenter a success and we continue to review with our partners all options to keep CityCenter fully funded. We are continuing to engage in constructive discussions with our senior lenders and the CityCenter lending group and we appreciate the support of the involved parties.”

A Dubai World spokesman said the company “welcomes the further confirmation of MGM’s commitment to the CityCenter project signaled by its funding of the payment due today. Meanwhile, we continue to work closely with MGM and lenders to find a solution to ensure CityCenter is completed, which is to the benefit of everyone.”

Recently PRWeb, a press release company has closed their doors to new online submissions of press releases concerning gambling. This has stoped all press releases coming in to PRWeb that concern online casinos, internet gambling, online slots, bingo, poker, horseracing, lotteries and any other forms of online betting.

In response to this sudden news, Press Release 365 has launched back with a statement of the exact opposite nature. They will continue to carry articles and press releases concerning the online casino market and internet gambling.

“We value all of our clients across the globe – it is our job to distribute press releases to the appropriate news outlets, both domestic and international”, says John Montgomery, Managing Director of Press Release 365.

Press Release 365 caters to many gambling markets both nationally and internationally. With the constant expansion overseas Press Release 365 feels an obligation to continue to feed those markets that want to be in the know.

Press Release 365 has taken on the responsibility of providing press releases and internet gambling news to the masses so that people can continue to benefit from their vast knowledge of the online casino market. However, Press Release 365 is not without its morals either. “We would never send a gambling-related press release to a teen-related magazine, or any other outlet with an under-18 audience”, says Montgomery.

“Online gambling press releases are not a crime and they will be distributed in accordance with the Press Release 365 Terms of Service”, he went on to say. Clearly this is not a company that is easily swayed by the competition, and will continue to serve the public the best way it sees fit. Through use of proper new channels, Press Release 365 will continue to funnel information to international markets so that they can stay abreast on online casino news both locally and around the globe.

As posted in the Sunday Times in London, England, “Online gambling group Party Gaming is holding talks on a deal with Nasdaq-listed rival Gigamedia.”The possible merger of these two giants could create a powerful force in the online casino market.

“Gigamedia, which has a market value of $363m (£246m), is thought to have hired Goldman Sachs, the investment bank, to find a buyer for the whole company or simply its Everest poker brand.” GigaMEdia continues to thrive by constantly expanding its resources. In 2007 they signed an agreement with SEGA games, and then again in November 2007 they signed an agreement bringing Electronic Arts games online. Finally in 2008 they captured the Japanese Market by bringing online the popular Japanese gambling game, Pachinko.

PartyGaming began in 1997 by Ruth Parasol who founded the company in the Carribean. “Party Gaming, which this month settled a legal dispute with the US Department of Justice (DoJ), is among a small number of parties thought to be negotiating with Gigamedia.

This case has caused quite a stir and has forced Partygaming into a hefty fine that will definitely impact their revenue for at least one year of service. Some claim that this was a quick and easy way for PartyGaming to be fined, and then move on with business as usual.

“One potential barrier to a full merger, however, could be the unwillingness of Gigamedia shareholders to hold stock in a London-listed company.” GigaMedia is based out of Singapore and opened its doors to the market in 1999.

“Party Gaming, which is said to be eyeing a number of possible deals, declined to comment on the Gigamedia talks but a spokesman said: ‘We have made it very clear we believe the industry will consolidate and we will look at opportunities as and when they arise…’”

This has become a common theme throughout the online casino business as it continues to grow.