Two gambling venues in Oklahoma have evacuated amid a local near the Kansas border. The spreading fire forced local residents to evacuate as well.

The affected casinos were two tribal venues, namely the Native Lights Casino and the 7 Clans First Council Casino Hotel. Both properties are situated near the border with The Sunflower State and were exposed to high risks of being engulfed by the fire.

For reference, the two casinos are operated by the Tonkawa Tribe of Oklahoma and the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Indians respectively.

The properties were warned about the nearby wildfire on Tuesday evening, prompting the evacuation. Some Chilocco residents were also asked to leave their homes as the fire was headed directly toward that area.

At that time, the wildfire was directed north of Newkirk, a small city in Kay County. The County itself was affected by the flames, resulting in a lot of smoke that affected local traffic. At first, Newkirk residents were advised to evacuate but that order was later retracted as firefighters from the two neighboring states were able to get the situation under control.

Firefighters Prevented the Fire from Reaching the Casinos

At 9 pm, Kay County Emergency Management representatives released an update on the situation, announcing that firefighters from Oklahoma and Kansas had managed to stop the fire’s advance, preventing it from reaching the Native Lights Casino and 7 Clans First Council Casino Hotel.

For reference, the danger of the wildfire had initially increased because of some unexpected wind.

Kay Country wasn’t the only place in the state affected by the ongoing wildfires. As of Tuesday, Oklahoma was experiencing 32 fires, resulting in damages and loss of forests. Reports say that the fires have also led to injuries and property damage.

Two Oklahoma Casinos Dealt with Cyberattacks

Luckily, the two casinos in northern Oklahoma were unaffected thanks to the firefighters’ hard work. Damages to the two properties could have added to the woes of local tribal organizations in the wake of the recent cybersecurity incidents.

For reference, two of the Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma’s properties, namely the Indigo Sky Casino and Resort and Outpost Casino, experienced data security incidents in December. Both properties warned customers that their data might have been compromised, advising them to protect their identities.

In the meantime, Oklahoma continues to mull over the legalization of sports betting.

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The month-long strike by 3,700 workers across MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown is taking a toll on Detroit’s gaming scene. As a result of the ongoing labor dispute, temporary closures have been announced, impacting valet services and various amenities at all three establishments.

Detroit Casinos Face Service Disruptions and Revenue Plunge Amidst Strike Fallout

Despite the casinos remaining open, the absence of valet services has forced patrons to use self-parking garages exclusively. MotorCity Casino, facing additional challenges, has seen closures in high-limit table games, first-floor slots, poker rooms, D.TOUR Spa, Lacquer Gift Shop, and the radio bar.

Hollywood Casino at Greektown has adjusted its services, reducing restaurant hours and impacting beverage offerings. While the strike has led to a decline in revenue, the resolve among striking workers remains high.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board revealed substantial revenue losses for October, the month when the strike began. Each casino reported losses ranging from $5 million to $7 million. The market shares for October were 46% for MGM, 31% for MotorCity, and 23% for Hollywood Casino at Greektown.

The financial impact is evident in the October revenue figures, showing an 18% drop in revenue compared to the previous month. The three casinos collectively reported $82.8 million in revenue, with MGM leading at $37.3 million, down 19.6%, followed by MotorCity with $25 million, down 22.8%, and Hollywood Casino at $19.4 million, down 11.7%.

Detroit Casino Council Keeps on Fighting for Workers’ Rights

Taxes paid to the state and city also decreased significantly, with a total decline of $3.9 million compared to October 2022. The workers’ strike, which began on October 17, has affected not only gaming revenue but also retail sports betting, which recorded a 23% decline in handle, dropping to $18.1 million.

The impact on retail sports betting revenue is substantial, with a 46.9% year-over-year decrease. The MGM Grand Detroit saw the most significant decline, recording just $4.7 million in handle, a 51.1% drop from October 2022.

As the strike continues into November, the future looks challenging for Detroit’s gaming industry, with potential greater losses anticipated in the coming months. 

The Detroit Casino Council, representing workers from five different unions, is advocating for improved healthcare, better wages, job security, and fair workloads. Kimberly Rector, a MotorCity worker, conveyed that they feel appreciated outside because there is a lack of appreciation inside and they will keep on striking until they achieve what they want, reported Fox 2 Detroit.

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Monarch Casino Spa – Black Hawk in Colorado became the scene of the largest casino heist in the state on March 12 after a cage cashier drove off with $500,000.

Cashier Believed She Was Following Orders

An inside job or a casino personnel becoming a victim of a well-executed con job – that is for investigators to find out but what happened at Monarch Casino on that morning is unprecedented and hard to explain.

Investigating the missing money, a Division of Gaming inspector wrote in an affidavit that casino cashier Sabrina Eddy appeared in the video footage at 12:45 in the morning, grabbing bricks of $50,000 each from the casino vault, carefully placing the stacks of money in a box and then taping the box shut, reported 9News.

Around 12:55, Eddy walked out of the casino cage carrying the box, went to the parking garage, got into a gold minivan and drove off. An hour later, she returned to the cage and grabbed four more bricks of bills, rounding the total amount of money taken to half a million, and drove off again.

According to the affidavit, 44-year-old Eddy believed she was doing nothing wrong as she believed she was following orders from casino personnel, Monarch’s head of operations and a cage manager.

Eddy told investigators that there was a phone call on the casino’s phone from a man claiming to be the Monarch’s head of operations who told her the money was needed to solve an ongoing issue with a UPS order and if the problem was not solved, the casino would “be in breach of contract.”

At the same time, she was exchanging texts with another man who she believed was a cage manager and that man confirmed the story about the problematic UPS order, playing a part in convincing her that the money is needed for the business.

Well Executed Con Job?

Both men told her that the money should be delivered to a lawyer and acting on their instructions, Eddy drove the box to St. Anthony’s Hospital where around 4:36 in the morning, she gave it to a man who came to her door, the affidavit further revealed.

Officials from Monarch Casino confirmed a theft occurred but did not provide any further details due to the ongoing investigation. Spokesperson Erica Ferris commented that businesses sometimes experience “unfortunate things” and until this moment, Monarch Casino was fortunate to avoid such things.

Division of Gaming’s spokesperson Suzi Karrer refused to comment on the story and did not provide answers to any follow-up questions.

Ron Kammerzell, a former head of the Colorado Division of Gaming and now a regulatory consultant for the gaming industry, commented that he had never heard of a casino theft of such magnitude since 1991 when casino gaming in the state became legal.

“For something like that to happen, it would have had to defeat a number of different levels of casino controls within the property,” he said.

Eddy, who was apprehended on a theft charge, remains in arrest as she has not made bail.

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The company is experiencing significant hardships after losing its New South Wales and Queensland licenses, owing hundreds of millions in fines and facing several class action lawsuits. Foster’s appointment is part of an ongoing process to remedy the company’s shortcomings, ensure compliance and contest unjust allegations. The new chairman remains optimistic regarding the company’s future as he helps foster a new chapter for the group.

The Operator Is Scrambling to Reform

The past year has not been kind to the once-leading Australian casino operator. A 2021 investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and 60 Minutes revealed severe AML failings and possible ties to terrorist organizations. An official probe soon followed, confirming that The Star had severely and systematically violated numerous regulations. An apathetic response only worsened the situation, drawing the ire of authorities across Australia.

The Star faces up to $1 billion in fines and is engaged in several class action lawsuits. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) relentlessly pursues the operator’s former and current directors and executives. Furthermore, losing the NSW and Queensland licenses has severely impacted the operator’s bottom line. The ongoing turmoil has prompted The Star to elevate new, controversy-free talent to its management team.

Foster Has Experience Salvaging Struggling Enterprises

David Foster’s appointment as chairman has him replace Benjamin Heap, who is facing legal action. Heap is the last active director or executive involved in the proceedings, so his departure will hopefully signal a fresh start for the embattled operator. The former chairman was confident that his successor would help restore The Star’s damaged reputation.

I have every confidence The Star will be a powerhouse of the Australian tourism and entertainment sectors for decades to come.

Benjamin Heap, former chairman of Star Entertainment 

As chairman, Foster will be directly involved in remedying the operator’s shortcomings, hopefully restoring at least a part of its previous market position. He thanked Heap for spearheading the arduous rejuvenation process and promised to aid the renewed board of directors in the company’s journey back toward compliance.

I’m delighted to assume the role of chairman as we continue with an unwavering focus on earning back the trust of the community.

 David Foster, chairman of Star Entertainment 

Foster’s wealth of experience will be invaluable for the company’s remedial efforts. His career of over 25 years in the financial services sector saw him take the reins of Suncorp Bank, salvaging it from the consequences of the global financial crisis and steering it back into stability. Such experience is just what The Star needs to turn things around and recapture its former glory.

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