In the world of casino and casino resorts one name stands out above all the rest.  Billionaire, Stephen Wynn.  He is the mogul who is responsible for some of the most famous casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada and all over the world.  As previously reported, he has recently ventured into the Asian market with plans to develop his Wynn style casino resorts on the Cotai Strip in Macau, China.  He is a marketing genius and his Wynn Resorts Ltd. is one of the most acclaimed casino groups in the world.  It would seem that Mr. Wynn is on the move again.  This time in America’s big apple, New York City, New York.

The financial reporting service, Bloomberg has recently reported that, “Wynn Resorts Ltd. sold $500 million of bonds.”  This was close to 43 percent more than was previously expected.  His aim is to win a bid and be granted a contract to operate New York City’s first slot machine parlor.  Wynn and other casino operating groups are hoping to redevelop what used to be the Aqueduct Racetrack, in Queens, one of New York City’s five boroughs, which also has a Major League Baseball stadium, the Mets’ Citi Field and an international Airport, LaGuardia.

Wynn is hoping that such a massive effort will help in the raising cash for other areas such as the afore mentioned Cotai Strip.  Barbara Cappaert, a Vermont based analyst wrote, “Wynn is amassing cash and liquidity.  The show of strength…make(s) a strong case for what is expected to be a roughly $400 million to $500 million project.”  Peebels Development LLC in cahoots with MGM Mirage and Peen National Gamin Inc. are also interested in the Queens site.

In any case, New York City is throwing its hat into the ring to allow slot type machines parlors within its boroughs.  With so many New Yorkers heading to out of state places like Mohegan Sun in Connecticut and the big name casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey, New York is hoping that New Yorkers will spend their money on home turf with big names of its own.

Despite valiant efforts given by names like Oprah Winfrey, and both President and First Lady Obama, Chicago Illinois, was not awarded the 2016 Olympic Games.  Congratulations Brazil.  Now the city of Chicago must decide what to do with all the land and resources that were purchased in advance and set for the development of sporting arenas, administrative venues and athletic housing.  Why not build a casino or a casino resort?  That was the thought of legislators from Chicago, Alderman, Richard Mell and Alderman, George Cardenas.  They recently proposed the idea of building a casino on the sight that would have been the 2016 Olympic Village.

The site in question is the old Michael Reese Hospital and covers an area of about 37 acres.  The defunct hospital was purchased buy the city of Chicago for roughly $91 million.  Legislators Mill and Cardenas only took about week after the city was denied the 2016 Olympic Games to come out with the idea.  They see the land sitting there and want to see progress and a return on Chicago’s investment.  One little thing would have been a major selling point for Mell and Cardenas, the Mayor’s blessing.

As fast as the idea was floated, Mell and Cardenas’ bubble was burst.  Chicago’s Mayor Daley, instantly shot down the idea.  In a statement the mayor said, “I don’t know why everybody is going around thinking casinos are the answers to all the problems of society.  I would be against that completely.”  It is thought by many in Chicago that the land that was to be the home of the world’s athletes could be put to better use.  However, as of yet, there have not been any definite plans announced.

Mayor Daley’s remarks were the coup de gras and more than enough reason for Mell and Cardenas to abandon the idea.  “We have to have buy-in from the mayor to have a chance,” Cardenas said.

What do you do if you can’t find a gambling institution in your home state?  Well, let is assume that you wouldn’t do anything illegal.  Most go to Las Vegas, Nevada or Atlantic City, New Jersey (of course, the super wealthy head out to Monte Carlo, but let’s not get carried away).  Of course, in these tough economic times it is just easier to head out to a neighboring state and partake in their, native American reservation or riverboat casinos.  Ask any fair citizen of Ohio.  For years they have been heading into neighboring Michigan, specifically Detroit, to get their fix of casino action.

This is a fact not lost on the Ohioans.  The state of Ohio is working pass legislation this November aimed at keeping Ohio’s money in Ohio. November 3 will see Ohio’s voters make their decision on Issue 3.  Issue 3 would grant the sale of four casino licenses in the Buckeye State.  The casinos would be located in Ohio’s four largest cities, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Toledo, which would be Detroit’s major competitor.  Ohioans, after all, are the Detroit casinos’ biggest out of state cliental.  Each of these four licenses would be about $50 million each.

Dan Gilbert, who is part owner of the NBA team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, is a major supporter of Issue 3.  He claims that close to a billion dollars of Ohioan’s hard earned money each year is spent across the states borders in casinos in neighboring states such as, Indiana, West Virginia, and, of course, Michigan.  Mr. Gilbert, himself, has been responsible for millions put into the fight of passing Issue 3.  One recent television ad wants Ohioans to “take charge” and “keep our money in Ohio.”

Issue 3 would be a major step in the casino and casino resort industry as well as for Ohio.  With flocks of Buckeye gamblers heading across state lines to spend their money, four large, new casinos would not only keep Ohio’s money in Ohio, but could possibly attract its own out of state tourism.  This would be a major revenue generator for the state.

The global economy has been in a fluctuating state for over a year.  For many months it seems that every area of business has gone through a massive recession.  The housing industry was the first to go and the foreclosure rate has been staggering.  Not just for low income families, but for those who have worked all their lives and managed to put children through college.  The banking industry stopped lending money, consumers stopped spending, debts started mounting.  There has been a world wide, downward spiral,  domino affect that shows intermittent signs of recovery, but it is happening a snail’s pace.  The state of the economy is bad, and its affect on the hard working, average, everyday citizen is where the deepest wounds are found.  Casinos are no exception.

Everything affects everything else.  Banks stop lending, so people don’t by cars, so automotive plants shut down, so lay offs are necessitated, so people can’t make rent and on and on and on.  Of course, this trickles down to the entertainment, travel and hospitality industry.  Folks don’t have money, thus folks don’t travel.  Let’s put in a way more topical to this website.  Folks don’t have money so folks don’t go to casinos.  This is specially depressing for those who depend on the travel and accommodations for casino patrons.

In Bulgaria, the Sofia News reported, “The gambling industry in Bulgaria has also been affected by the global economic crisis.”   Through out eastern Europe many casinos and casino resorts are nearing or are already facing bankruptcy.  This is due to a massive drop off in players coming out to the entertainment venues, much less spending multiple days and nights there.  The Chair of the State Commission on Gambling in Bulgaria, Dimitar Terziev stated, “Since the beginning of 2009, we have been witnessing a trend of gambling halls closing down.”  All of this has been the major topic of discussions at the recently held Balkan Gambling Industry Exhibition.

If the economic climate doesn’t improve soon, casinos and casinos resorts all over the world may start to slowly close their doors.

The world of online gaming and casino affiliates just acquired one more partnership.  iGaming Business has recently announced that they will join hands with BetClic.  BetClic will be the gold sponsor of iGaming Business’ Spanish division upcoming event.  At the end of October, IG Espana will be hosting an event specific to the online casino and gaming industry in Spain.  Their idea is to help operators, vendors and their affiliates gain much needed knowledge and insight into the operational and technical side of the market, plus looks into the legal dealings of online casinos.  The Event is being held at the Hotel Hespeira in Spain capitol of Madrid.

There will be added focus to all of the normal sectors of online gaming such as poker sports betting, bingo and other casino activities.  There will be seminars and discussions on payment systems.  There will also be insights into performance boosting strategies.

The highlight will be a networking room which will hold several of the Spain’s leading online casino markets operators and vendors.  Some of the operators slated to be in attendance are BetClic, EGO, JuegaBingo NeoGames Partners, Winzingo, and Casino Claro.  The event is free os charge due to a large number of regular attnedees of iGaming Business’s industry wide affiliate events.  There are hopes of international affiliates attending as well.  Of course BetClic’s sponsorship is also a major factor.

BetClic is raving about the opportunity to sponsor such a well rounded event.  Pierre Larose, Online Marketing Manager for BetClic Spain exclaimed, “BetClic are proud to be the Gold sponsors of iGB España and regard this as a perfect platform to reach out to our current and future affiliate partners who wish to share the extraordinary growth the company has seen over the recent months and years. We would like to take this opportunity to demonstrate our commitment and dedication to all those involved in the Spanish affiliation market”

More information regarding the online casino event can be foind at www.iGBEspana.com

Online gambling sites can appear one in a million.  To the average player one site may not be too different from the next.  Most players find their bingo, poker, and sports betting sites but using the typical web searches and web browsers.  Needless to say online gambling sites are doing everything they can to make their particular site pop and stand out among all the rest.  This is they way the generate their revenue, after all.  The more people visit, the more they bet.  The more people visit, the more advertising revenues online sites can generate.  It is nothing new.  It’s simple economics.

According to their web site.  Play LA Inc. is a leading internet advertising and publishing company to the online and mobile gaming industry. Play LA Inc. has just taken major steps to improve their visibility.  They have hired Branded3, a digital agency from the United Kingdom to manage what they call, “Search Engine Optimization and Marketing.”   Branded3 has been brought on board to manage the three UK Facing websites, bettingchoice.co.uk, guidetopoker.com, and guidetocasinos,com.  Play LA Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer David Hallonquist described his company’s new relationship with Branded3 by saying, “Our website traffic is generated predominantly from natural search, from the major search engines and our revenues are closely tied to our website traffic volumes. Branded3 has been enlisted to build on the success we have had to date, improve our search rankings and increase the number of unique visitors to our websites from natural search.”

Branded3’s director of search added, “Reaching a greater audience online is a challenge to any business these days. We plan to use creative and intelligent solutions to help Play LA get their websites into the top search rankings and stay there.”  It would seem that the marriage of these two giants would be a match made in online heaven.

Play LA Inc. is extremely confident that, “…in applying Branded3′s advanced optimization strategies to our websites, to develop top search rankings for the long term, that we will achieve considerable revenue growth in 2010.”

Online casino sites are not just stand a lone enterprises.  Most sites have all kinds of affiliates spread all over the globe.  The goal for these affiliate programs is to help reach as many customers as possible by heightening visibility and generating customer referral programs.  It is also a useful way to distribute new and improved online gaming software to online casino sites.  Affiliate programs are widely taken advantage of, so it is nice when companies can say a little thank you to its affiliates.

The online casino site, Sloto’Cash, has very proudly announced their affiliate program give away.  It is their way of saying thank you for a successful 2009.  To express their gratitude Sloto’Cash will be giving away ten mini laptop computers to affiliates who qualify to enter a drawing.  To add to the excitement winners of the mini laptops will be able to choose the color of the computer to help personalize it to their style.

The rules are very simple.  Affiliates will receive entries to the drawing based on the number of customers they refer to Sloto’Cash Online Casino.  The breakdown is as follows: Five to nine new customers will earn one ticket, 10 to 19 will earn 2 entries, 20 to 29 will earn three entries and thirty or more will earn 5 entries

There are also bonus entries.  If an affiliate of Sloto’Cash can refer five new customers to the online casino site, on the same date they will earn two more tickets for the draw.  As if there wasn’t enough for Sloto’Cash’s affiliates to get excited about, they have announce a “super bonus.” Santa Claus is coming to town. Kris Kringle will be giving away surprises by random.  At anytime for any reason affiliates of Sloto’Cash could be met with goodies from Jolly Old Saint Nick.

Sloto’Cash Online Casino’s affiliate’s thank you drawing will be December 16th at the Sloto’Cash Marketing office at 10 PM local time.

Legalized online horse race betting has come to the great state of Illinois.  TVG.com the largest online wagering company in the United States is now offering, legally, the chance for residents of Illinois to bet on horse races all around the world.  This marks the first time advance deposit online wagering is legal in the state.  Illinois follows California, New York, Maryland, and not surprisingly, Kentucky in the activity.   Illinois already sports a healthy horse racing industry.  The state has three Thoroughbred tracks and two Standardbred tracks, plus numerous breeding sites.

Gerard Cunningham the president of TVG’s parent company Betfair US said the move was, “…just in time for the Hawthorne races and Zenyatta to race in the Breeder’s Cup, Illinois’ racing fans can experience the thrill of betting online at TVG.com,”  He is confident in TVG.com and continued, “No other online wagering site offers the number of tracks, secures your money, or engages with its community like TVG.com.”  He also announce the online wagering site would offer a $50 free trial for his new customers, Illinois residents.

Illinois officials are hoping that the new online betting will help increase revenue for the state’s horse racing industry.  Illinois will receive a percentage of the profits for every bet placed on TVG.com by one its residents.  TVG.com will also contribute to the Hoosier Economy by aggressively advertising within the state and heavily promoting Illinois racing on TVG’s television and betting platforms.

Other benefits acceptable to Illinois, is the ability to regulate and patrol the highly controversial business of online sports and racing betting.

“We believe that legal, regulated online betting will help reinvigorate the horse racing industry in Illinois,” said Cunningham. “The convenience of being able to wager online, or away from home with your cell phone, will help attract a new audience and generation to racing.”

Most service and entertainment groups depend on attracting loyal customers.  It’s the returnee business that helps companies maintain an even keel while they are searching for new clients.  Airlines have frequent flier programs.  Cinemas have point cards for those who attend movies at their theatres.  Stores like Best Buy and Borders have their point systems.  All of these reward customers for their valued patronage buy offering coupons, free services, preferred status, upgrades, and/or discounted rates.  Even a sunset cruise company in Key West, Florida offers its return customers a lower rate for their business.  It is no secret that casinos have the same thing.  Both online and land based casinos have “clubs” that their loyal customers join.  It is usually in the form of a card that is inserted into machines that accumulates points while a person plays.  Points can be redeemed for discounts on food, merchandise, and hotel rooms if their is a resort attached.  Almost always, players sign up for the free parking.

The Fortune Lounge Group has recently announced that will be operating their frequent player club under the name of “Players Club.”  This will be the norm for each of their four online casino brands.  Basically they are consolidating an already popular rewards program into one blanket venture. The Players Club is automatically activated when players sign up for Fortune Club’s real money account at any one of the four online casinos.

Players will have the chance to accumulate points based on online wagers made and will be tallied.  Players’ status will be based on the numbers of points acquired and there will be different levels.  Points can be redeemed for extended playing time or casino credits.

For those players already loyal to the Fortune Lounge Group, the clubs they currently belong to will be absorbed into the Players Club.  Their casino status will be maintained.  All players will have the advantage of loyalty promotions and online tournaments where they can earn additional points.

In the United States online casinos and gambling is more of an issue than an industry.  Lawmakers at the both the state and federal level have been back and forth as to how to regulate such a widespread enterprise.  However, the main concern for American online gamblers now is the simple fact that in the United States online casinos and gambling is, for the most part, illegal.  Casinos, and gambling in general, is a touchy subject in the States.  Currently only a few states allow gambling.  With the exception of Nevada and New Jersey, the rules within those states regarding gambling are numerous and complex.  Casino sites have to be on a river, off shore, or a native American reservation.

When it comes to online casinos and gambling the situation gets even stickier.  It is clear that there is a large population of Americans that wish to spend their time visiting online casino sites.  However, right now it is frowned upon.  This leaves most players huddled in a corner of a coffee shop, playing on an overseas site, and sending their money out of the country.  The debate continues.  Some want to legalize online casinos so that they can be regulated, problems can be identified, and, of course, revenue can be generated.  It is understandable, though, that conservative groups still find gambling a vice and wish for it not to be spread on such accessible venue.

Illinois, however, has taken a major step.  Recently they have legalized the betting on horse races online over the internet.  Talks are being held in Chicago.  These discussions are weighing the possibilities of granting three online sites a license to carry Illinois horse race wagering.  Those sites already have the infrastructure in place and they have wagering sites already in use.  Though, some think they are not legal and have yet to be regulated.  “They’re ready to go,” said Mickey Ezzo, a spokesman for the Illinois Racing Board.