The plan to establish Petersburg, Virginia, as the state’s fifth city to host a casino has inched one step closer to realization. The odds have increased as the Virginia Senate cleared a bill that would possibly greenlight a casino in the city.

Senate Bill 628 seeks to redefine the criteria for a host city and discard the existing population threshold. Additional adjustments to tax-exempted real estate, poverty and unemployment rate criteria could make a Petersburg casino something more than just a dream.

Senate Bill 628 has some influential backers, increasing its chance of success. Proposed by Senate President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas and Senator Lashrecse Aird, the bill continues the legacy of Morrissey and Del. Kim Taylor who previously championed the cause.

Senate Bill 628 Secured Unanimous Support in the Senate

Senate Bill 628 received unanimous support from the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee earlier this week. Now, the bill has also cleared the Senate, securing the approval of all 40 Senators.

After passing the Senate by a landslide, the measure will now go to the House of Delegates. If passed it would move to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s desk for final approval. While Youngkin has not been very vocal on his thoughts on the matter, many believe that he would sign the bill into law.

If so, this would potentially end a several years-long battle to allow Petersburg to have a casino. The initial proposal was launched in 2021 but failed to gain much support. Since then, several efforts have been made to turn Petersburg into a gambling destination.

In the meantime, the Petersburg City Council allowed City Manager John Altman to inquire about potential interest from casino operators.

In December 2022, the Petersburg City Council voted in favor of a contract with The Cordish Companies to build a $1.4 billion casino resort facility. However, this agreement attracted a lot of animosity, which is why the Petersburg City Council now plans to instead hold a competitive bidding process.

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Charolette Richards, the founder of Las Vegas’s most popular wedding venue, has passed away at 89. The passing was announced by A Little White Wedding Chapel, the wedding factory she founded.

The chapel was established in 1951 and was created to provide couples with an affordable wedding in a beautiful location. Prioritizing simplicity, the venue quickly became popular and has wedded over 800,000 couples.

The chapel is also the place where a number of celebrities shared their wedding vows. This notably includes Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, Britney Spears and Jason Alexander, Pamela Anderson, Rick Salomon and Frank Sinatra and Mia Farrow, among many others.

The chapel also had a drive-thru called the Tunnel of Love which was created by Richards after a client failed to fit their wheelchair through the front door of A Little White Wedding Chapel. Following Richards’ retirement, the chapel renamed the Tunnel of Love to Charolette’s Way.

According to the venue’s statement, Richards passed away on December 13.

Richards Made almost a Million Couples Happy

Richards arrived in Vegas in the 50s, seeking to meet her husband who had told her he was working at the Stardust. However, this turned out to be a lie.

Richards began working at the chapel in the 50s, turning it into an affordable wedding venue for couples in love. She was offered this job by a concerned stranger who had seen her looking for her husband every day. This saved Richards from poverty and eventually turned her into the famed Wedding Queen of the West.

Last year, the Wedding Queen of the West finally stepped down, selling the chapel to Cliff Evarts in 2022. Evarts is another wedding specialist who runs downtown wedding chapels Viva Las Vegas and Vegas Weddings.

Brian Mills, president of the Vegas Wedding Chamber of Commerce commented on Richards’ passing, praising her for innovating Las Vegas’ wedding sector and providing happiness to almost a million couples.

Charlotte’s legacy extends beyond innovation; sometimes controversial, but always positive, Charlotte Richards created unforgettable experiences for countless couples. As we honor her life, we are inspired by her commitment to love and joy in the wedding industry.

Bruce Mills, president, Vegas Wedding Chamber of Commerce

Mills concluded that Richards’s legacy will serve as an inspiration to the entire wedding sector for years to come.

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Chen Lip Keong, one of the richest men in Malaysia, has passed away at 76. His death occurred on December 8 and was announced by the NagaCorp board in a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Chen, who developed the NagaCorp casino and hospitality brand, suffered a stroke a decade ago, sparking speculations that his death might be related to this. However, the leisure corporation’s board provided no specifics about his passing.

Later reports by Chinese news outlets claim that Chen passed away while in the US. His remains will likely be returned to Malaysia after a formal clearance process.

Chen spent the last few years of his life developing NagaCorp, cementing it as a major casino and hospitality brand in Asia. The news of his passing caused the company’s stock to plummet, although the leadership is certain that the loss of Chen will not lead to long-term material impact on the group’s finances.

As of the time of this writing, NagaCorp’s shares are trading for HKD 2.96, representing a significant decline from January 2023, when they had reached HKD 7.75.

What’s Next for NagaCorp?

In the meantime, Chen Yiy Fon, one of Chen Lip Keong’s sons, has succeeded him as head of the company starting December 10. Chen Yiy Fon already boasts significant corporate experience and has previously served as NagaCorp’s chief executive officer of operations.

Chen Yiy Fon started work as the casino and hospitality company’s CEO of Operations on April 5, 2022. His appointment came amid efforts to divide responsibilities for the company among Chen Lip Keong’s three sons.

For reference, this move saw Chen Yiy Hwuan named as chief executive officer of hotels and Chen Cherchi as chief executive officer of finance and treasury.

In its filing, NagaCorp did not disclose whether the change of leadership will have an effect on the ongoing strike at NagaWorld, one of the company’s biggest properties. Located near Phnom Penh, Cambodia, the huge resort is one of the highlights of NagaCorp’s portfolio. However, the property is currently dealing with a strike following the ousting of NagaWorld’s previous leadership.

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Donald “Don” Laughlin, the American gambling entrepreneur, hotelier and rancher for whom the Nevadan town of Laughlin was named, has passed away at 92. His business broke the news on Facebook, informing his followers that on Sunday, Laughlin passed away peacefully.

The announcement said:

Don touched many lives in our local community as well as nationwide, and we understand how difficult this news will be for many. Especially our Riverside Resort family. Don Laughlin was truly an amazing man to work with and learn from.

Official announcement

The announcement added that Laughlin’s family has asked for some time to grieve. An official statement about the upcoming memorial service will be made shortly.

Nevada’s Governor, Joe Lombardo, released a statement on the matter, lauding Laughlin as an outstanding Nevadan.

Donna and I were saddened to hear of Don Laughlin’s passing today. Don built and developed his namesake town of Laughlin, making it into the city it is today.

Governor Joe Lombardo

Laughlin’s wife passed away a year and a half earlier.

Laughlin Replicated Las Vegas’ Success in Southern Nevada

Laughlin was born in Owatonna, Minnesota, on May 4, 1931. His career in gambling began during his time in fur trapping when he installed slot machines in hunting lodges. Disgruntled by Laughlin’s business, his high school principal asked the young Donald to either cease his slots operations or drop out.

Laughlin stuck to his businesses. By 1952, he had collected enough money to go to Vegas. Two years later, he bought his first casino, the 101 Club.

Eventually, Laughlin realized the potential of the tri-state area at the convergence of Nevada, California, and Arizona. In 1964, he left Vegas and moved to an abandoned motel property in southern Nevada. Two years later, he reopened the property, which was now a casino offering slots games, gaming tables and a chicken buffet.

The property eventually became the well-known Riverside Resort. South Pointe eventually grew into the town of Laughlin. The town now boasts eight casino resorts and is a major gambling destination.

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French blockchain enthusiasts have a reason to rejoice as the Sorare law was passed with an overwhelming support. Under the new law, which would provide the foundation for a regulatory framework for games using NFT and crypto features, such titles will not be classified as gambling.

Backed by 437 voters and opposed by 77, the so-called Jonum (games with monetizable digital objects) regime is set to seek balance between innovation and player protection.

The Sorare law still needs approval from the Constitutional Council but is an important step toward the legitimization of NFT and crypto games. The council will now review the voted measure and decide its future. The council has the power to reject the Sorare law, which would be a suboptimal outcome for the future of blockchain technology in France.

If the law is passed, however, the Jonum regime could be the development that companies tapping into blockchain technology desire. In any case, the regime would likely still need tweaks and amendments, considering the novelty of the crypto gaming vertical.

France Seeks to Regulate Crypto Games

Because of their inherent similarities, crypto games risked being classified as gambling, which is subject to higher taxes.

While crypto games will not be considered gambling, their compliance will still be overseen by France’s watchdog, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux (ANJ). Like in gambling, the ANJ will require crypto gamers to provide their age and prove their identity when withdrawing funds. However, they will not need to verify their identity when registering an account. Web3 games will also be subjected to a number of other regulations they would be required to follow.

Experts have suggested that the Sorare law would give preferential treatment to crypto games, which is why existing operators might be inclined to explore the opportunities the blockchain sector offers. Pari Mutuel Urbain, for example, already offers a crypto-based fantasy racing game called Stables and is likely to further dabble in Web3 technology.

While some companies are sure to adapt, casino groups have slammed the new law, accusing the government of not inviting them to participate the discussion. Under French law, only casino companies with a physical presence can offer online gambling. Many of these companies believe that the regulation of Jonum is a bad move that would usher in an age of illegal gambling.

Some even fear that some online casinos may use NFT payouts to circumvent France’s gambling rules.

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Senate Bill 948 Sub A, which is now headed to the House of Representatives for consideration, would allow individuals over the age of 21 to play table games remotely within the state using their computers or mobile apps.

Rhode Island Senate Bill Advances with Amendments to Ensure Live Dealer Requirement

Senate President Dominick J. Ruggiero, D-North Providence, expressed his enthusiasm for the legislation, highlighting the added convenience it would provide to Rhode Islanders. He emphasized that the bill’s objective is to strengthen the state’s facilities in the competitive regional gaming market while protecting a vital revenue stream that supports various state programs and investments.

The bill underwent a thorough committee hearing process, during which the initial proposal was scrutinized and amended. The revised legislation now requires a live dealer to be present, similar to the requirement in New Jersey law that restricts bets to be placed in Atlantic City.

Ruggiero reassured the public that the legislation is constitutional, targeting mature users, and includes provisions for educating problem gamblers while preserving the current revenue allocation percentages.

In the House, the bill will be paired with similar legislation introduced by Rep. Gregory J. Constantino, D-Lincoln.

Rhode Island Senate Greenlights iGaming Legislation, Bringing Online Casino Access Closer

The swift approval of the Legal iGaming legislation by the Rhode Island Senate has generated momentum for the bill, which was also supported by the Sports Betting Alliance. 

Under the proposed legislation, casinos will be permitted to offer online games through the IGT platform, the same platform used in the state’s brick-and-mortar casinos. The Rhode Island Lottery will assume the role of regulator. In April, IGT extended its sports betting contract with the Rhode Island Lottery for another three years.

The bill also includes changes such as raising the minimum age for online table games to 21, addressing gambling addiction treatment concerns, and adjusting tax rates. Rhode Island’s share of online slot revenue will increase to 61%, while the share of table game revenue will be reduced to 15.5%.

While online casino legislation in Rhode Island progresses, other states like New York, New Hampshire, Illinois, and Indiana have fallen short in passing similar bills this year.

If the Senate measure clears the House, Rhode Island could become a pioneer in providing remote access to table games, offering a new level of convenience and entertainment to its residents. Rhode Island is also seeking to introduce betting on college sports through a new bill that aims to lift restrictions on betting on in-state college teams, potentially allowing wagers on pre-season invitationals, conference tournaments, and even March Madness.

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The measure enjoys bipartisan backing with the Senate and House okaying the passage of Senate Bill 1462 with minimum opposition. Thanks to this document, casinos and the hospitality industry will be able to employ people who have felony convictions, as the state’s strategy to both expand the hiring pool in general and also to ensure that this target group can be integrated safely and reliably back into society.

Minimum Opposition from Members of the House and Senate

Understandably, some members of the public have grumbled against the decision, but lawmakers managed to demonstrate that voting on floors was overwhelmingly in support of the bill. Senate passed the bill with a 44-12 vote in favor in March.

Of course, convicted felons still need to go about securing a job based on the established order. A similar success story was written in the House where a floor vote saw 78 votes in favor against 27 lawmakers opposing the bill altogether.

Applicants would still need to obtain the necessary licenses for one, which are issued by the Illinois Gaming Board. The bill does acquiesce that further controls may be necessary to ensure that everything is in order. Therefore, the regulator has been granted additional powers to review each license as it sees fit.

Essentially, the watchdog will try to determine whether a specific employee could pose a danger to public security or the integrity of the gambling facilities. The bill is now going to most likely to be signed by Gov. JB Pritzker whose office has not commented on the developments. The change in hiring attitude is not necessarily prompted by goodwill among lawmakers, but there are certainly ethical implications as well.

Getting Workers in Casinos Could Be Hard

Convicted felons often find it hard to get back to work, because background checks immediately disqualify them from a range of jobs. New York, another casino state, has recently debated whether it should expand its hiring pool by including convicted felons as well, but no progress has been made over the past months.

In any event, Illinois could serve as a good success story and example of why letting felons to work at casinos may have a meaningful impact on the hiring pool of an industry that is struggling to find enough helping hands while also serving as a strong moral imperative for the country as well.

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House Bill 551 (HB 551), a proposal that calls for the legalization of sports wagering in Kentucky successfully passed the Senate Thursday. Although the faith of the bill was unclear and there was a possibility for it to fail, in the end, it successfully cleared the Senate chamber after a 25-12 vote.

Given that it’s a proposal related to revenue within a non-budget year, the bill had to receive a minimum of 23 votes in order to pass. Despite the failure of similar bills, proposing the legalization of sports betting ever since PASPA’s repeal in 2018, HB 551 is the bill that will deliver legal wagering on sports for Kentucky residents.

Under the proposal, sports betting would be legal at the state’s racing tracks, bringing good news for fans of the Kentucky Derby. Moreover, HB 551 would introduce mobile, as well as online sports betting services, allowing bettors to take advantage of those convenient options.

HB 551 would require horse racing tracks offering sports betting to pay a $500,000 fee and an annual $50,000 renewal fee. On the other hand, mobile betting service providers would be subject to an initial $50,000 fee as well as an annual renewal fee of $10,000. The regulation of the activity itself would be in the hands of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.

The Bill Requires a Signature from the Governor

Earlier this month, the proposal gained traction after passing the House in a 63-34 vote. Keeping in mind that now the bill cleared the Senate as well, its next stop is the desk of Gov. Andy Beshear.

Given that Beshear has long supported the legalization of sports betting, it is likely to sign the bill Friday. Once or when this happens this happens, lawmakers would need to set the planned date for the launch of legal sports betting in Kentucky. Keeping in mind the traction it gained recently, it is likely eligible customers in the state to be able to access sports betting at some point this summer.

“After years of urging lawmakers to legalize sports betting, we finally did it! Today’s result shows that hard work pays off.“

Gov. Andy Beshear

In a statement released via Twitter, Gov. Beshear shared his excitement. He explained that years of efforts are finally paying off with the legalization of sports betting. Moreover, Gov. Beshear said that finally, Kentucky will be able to provide a legal way for its residents to wager on sports and at the same time, use the tax revenue to fund public projects and help communities and schools.

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