After successfully concluding 10 months of intense negotiations, the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 is setting its sights on aggressive growth in the Las Vegas region for 2024. The union has finalized contracts with various hospitality entities, including Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International, and Wynn Resorts, covering nearly 50,000 non-gaming workers.

New Contracts Propel Expansion and Improved Conditions

One significant provision in these new contracts allows the union to organize nonunion restaurant workers within the properties, a move that has garnered support from many employees eager to improve their working conditions. 

Jose de Jesus Zuniga, a cook at Alexxa’s within Paris Las Vegas, expressed his desire for union representation, citing better wages and improved healthcare benefits as primary motivations, reported The Nevada Independent.

Ted Pappageorge, secretary-treasurer of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, highlighted plans for expansion, particularly targeting establishments such as Alexxa’s, Eataly at Park MGM, and Citizen’s at Mandalay Bay, potentially bringing in around 10,000 new members. 

The union has already secured neutrality agreements with prominent venues like The Venetian, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Sphere, and Formula One’s Grand Prix Plaza, indicating a significant step towards further growth.

The completion of the 2023 contracts, which saw a remarkable 32% salary increase over five years, marks a milestone for the union. Pappageorge emphasized that these agreements include vital provisions such as workload reductions, enhanced safety measures, and protections against technological advancements that could impact workers’ jobs.

Culinary Workers Forge Ahead Amidst Challenges in Las Vegas

Recent developments also include successful negotiations with previously nonunion giants like The Venetian and Fontainebleau Las Vegas, with agreements paving the way for potential union representation. Notably, The Venetian, historically resistant to unionization efforts, has seen a significant shift following a change in ownership and management.

Moreover, Culinary’s involvement in organizing concessions workers at Allegiant Stadium, backed by the NFL Players Association, underscores its commitment to expanding its influence across various sectors. Despite facing challenges with certain service providers, the union remains steadfast in its efforts to secure fair wages and benefits for all workers.

However, amidst these triumphs, the union continues to grapple with longstanding disputes, notably with Red Rock Resorts and its Station Casinos operating division. The ongoing standoff, now spanning over 25 years, reflects the enduring struggle between management and labor in the region.

As the Culinary Union embarks on its ambitious growth strategy, it not only seeks to improve the lives of thousands of workers but also aims to shape the economic and political landscape of Nevada. 

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Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin has given the green light to revised ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment. This amendment aims to strip the Arkansas Racing Commission of its authority to issue a casino license in Pope County and mandates local voter approval for any new casino licenses outside of three specified counties.

Arkansas Ballot Initiative Advances Amidst Casino License Controversy

Attorney General Tim Griffin‘s certification of the ballot language sets the stage for the Local Voters in Charge ballot committee to initiate signature collection from registered voters. The committee needs to gather 90,704 signatures, including representation from 50 counties, by July 5 to secure a spot for the proposed amendment on the November 5 general election ballot, reported Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

The proposed amendment comes amidst ongoing disputes over the issuance of a casino license in Pope County, stirring up legal battles and community tensions. With billions of dollars at stake annually in the state’s gambling industry, the proposed changes could have far-reaching implications.

Hans Stiritz, spokesperson for the Local Voters in Charge committee, expressed gratitude for the attorney general’s approval. He highlighted in a written statement that the measure would prevent casinos from entering communities that oppose them and would enable local voters to define the identity of their respective hometowns. 

Meanwhile, Allison Burum of Cherokee Nation Businesses reiterated their commitment to their proposed Legends Resort & Casino project, emphasizing its potential economic impact.

Revised Ballot Language Signals Shift in Arkansas Gambling Laws

Griffin’s decision to revise the ballot language reflects concerns about clarity and accuracy. He stressed the need for precise wording to ensure voters fully understand the implications of the proposed amendment. Changes were made to align the language with legal definitions and to provide a clearer summary of the measure’s content.

The amendment seeks to repeal existing authorization for a casino in Pope County and mandates special elections for any future casino licenses outside of specified counties. This move represents a significant shift in the state’s gambling policies, prompting intense debate among stakeholders.

At the same time, at the end of January,  the Arkansas Racing Commission confirmed it is going to revise casino rules, potentially paving the way for the final casino license in Pope County, concluding the state’s casino expansion. 

The approval of the revised ballot language sets the stage for a heated campaign season as both proponents and opponents gear up to sway public opinion. With the potential for major changes to Arkansas’ gambling landscape, the upcoming months promise to be pivotal for the state’s future.

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Another amazing piece of news resonated in the industry after it was announced that another ever-popular iGaming market wants to introduce new rules!

Namely, Finland’s Ministry of Finance has set its sights on reshaping the country’s gambling terrain. Their vision entails the liberalization and limitation of the Finnish gambling market, indicating a new era of chances for both players and operators. The launched timeline implies that this transformation is predicted to occur in 2026.

Legislative Evolution

The central goal of this step is mitigating the dangerous outcomes associated with gambling activities and optimizing the channeling rate of the gambling system. That is why Finland’s governance has undertaken a transformative journey.

The plan of legislation involves the division of the state-owned operator, Veikkaus, into distinct business parts. While one will possess its lottery game monopoly, another will enter the occupied arena of online sports betting and iGaming, where it will compete with other authorized operators.

This long-awaited shift comes as a battle against the black market that has flourished due to years of monopoly-driven gambling operations.

The Ministry of Finance commented on this move saying that the scheduled transformations contain diverse elements of the gambling ecosystem, including the licensing framework, permit fees, surcharges, tools for handling gambling routines, precluding of gambling-related damage, as well as the management and marketing of gambling activities.

A Collaborative Endeavor

To ensure the success of this enterprising task, a political steering group and an intersectoral working group have been called, featuring key ministries and authorities. The industry wants to manage the social importance of the licensing system, with special awareness of its influence on mitigating gambling-related harm.

Experts from various sectors will also be extensively consulted during the trial process.

The blueprint is set to culminate in the request of a government proposal to the Parliament during the Spring of 2025. The official launch of the licensed market is then anticipated to take place in early 2026. This coming changeover is poised to form a new gambling landscape in Finland, characterized by greater assortment and regulatory sophistication.

Velipekka Nummikoski, deputy CEO of Veikkaus expressed his opinion on this amazing move saying the following: ”It’s great that the project is progressing. This is the biggest gambling reform in the history of Finland, with an ambitious schedule. The government program has set clear starting points for the reform and it is good to proceed with them. Hopefully, a system will be created that effectively channels gambling into the licensed supply.”

Source: ”Finland’s Gambling Reforms Set For Implementation In 2026”. GamingInteligence. October 25, 2023.

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Deals between professional sports organizations and gambling companies help bring valuable proceeds for the clubs, allowing them to continue to grow. Yet amid concerns about an increase in sports betting activities and consequently risky or problem gambling behavior, many countries around Europe are strengthening their regulations. This applies not only to gambling sponsorships but external advertising and Belgium is one of the countries that is set to implement new strict rules.

Last year, Vincent Van Quickenborne, Belgium’s Minister of Justice, proposed changes related to the promotion of gambling activities. The proposed changes called for a strict ban on gambling advertising that seeks to curb problem gambling and at the same time reduce the exposure of such products. The proposed changes immediately captured the attention of the regulated gambling sector, as well as sports organizations that filed lawsuits with 11 courts, urging against the nationwide ban on gambling advertising and tough new restrictions.

Now, it seems that those efforts were in vain, at least for the moment, considering that the lawsuits were dismissed, clearing the path for the new regulations to come into effect starting from July 1, 2023, a report released by Het Nieuwsblad reveals. Van Quickenborne commented on the topic pointing out: “Hopefully this will put an end to all attempts at lobbying and legal sabotage from the gambling sector and sectors that are addicted to gambling money.”

Tough Restrictions Come Into Effect in July

The new restrictions would significantly limit the options for gambling advertising in Belgium. Starting from July 1, gambling ads will not be allowed to air on TV, at cinemas or via radio or social media.

The rules ban gambling advertisements from websites, as well as newspapers and magazines. Gambling ads will not be able to appear in public places in the form of banners, posters or stickers. Any printed gambling advertising will also be prohibited while customizable ads distributed via post, online messaging services, social media or emails will be prohibited.

Per the new regulations, owners of businesses such as casinos are allowed to place the name and logo at the front of the venue. Advertisements would be permitted to appear on the inside of betting venues and casinos.

The tough new restrictions echo the changes planned in Belgium’s neighbor, the Netherlands. Similar to Belgium, the company plans to introduce a ban on gambling advertising starting from July 1 but featuring even more restrictions.

It is clear that betting and gaming companies in Belgium are not happy with the upcoming changes to gambling advertising. Sports organizations are similarly concerned, especially football clubs that have established deals with gambling operators. While further appeals and court cases aren’t impossible, it is likely such legal actions to take place after the ban is already enforced.

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The recovery of the gambling industry in Macau will continue into June, suggests a Monday note by JP Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific), citing the return of live concerts and its impact on mass market gross gaming revenue (GGR).

Daily Run Rate Increased

Using weekly data, JP Morgan analysts DS Kim and Mufan Shi outlined that the daily run rate for the past seven days increased from MOP$530 million ($66 million) in the prior period to MOP$570 million ($71 million) per day, and compensating to the slower than expected start of the month and bringing the June total GGR to MOP$9.5 billion ($1.18 billion).

Considering the trend since the beginning of June, Kim and Shi believe that their previously issued monthly forecast of between MOP$14 billion ($1.74 billion) and MOP$14.5 billion ($1.8 billion), which translates to between MOP$470 million ($58 million) and MOP$480 million ($60 million) per day, “may prove too conservative.”

“..we would not be surprised if June bucks the weak seasonality to print better than MOP$500 million ($62 million) per day,” Kim and Shi added, pointing out that casinos could post strong second-quarter results and beat the market consensus, with mass GGR and EBITDA recovering over 80% and 65% of pre-pandemic levels, respectively.

Live Concerts Behind the Recovery

JP Morgan analysts see the return of live concerts to the SAR in recent months as one of the major factors stirring the industry recovery, citing the short-term residency at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena of Jacky Cheung.

“It appears the Jacky Cheung concert at Sands’ Venetian continues to attract the right type of – read ‘high-value’ – players, including those from the database of Sands’ sister property Marina Bay Sands,” Kim and Shi wrote in the memo, outlining that this “in turn helps to lift overall industry GGR.”

Hong Kong singer and actor Cheung delivered a series of 12 concerts at the Cotai Expo at The Venetian Macao casino resort between June 2 and June 9. Besides Cheung, there was a series of 14 concerts by Cantopop artist Leon Lai Ming at the casino resort promoted by Melco Resorts, Studio City, spanning across May and the first half of June, as well as several concerts by South Korean K-pop group, Blackpink.

Shi and Kim further wrote that these events “do seem to move the needle for gaming business in Macau – at least thus far – which bodes well for Macau’s mass business to recover well beyond pre-Covid levels, in our view.”

Pointing to the increase in the daily run rate ever since these events took place, Kim and Shi believe that the industry would post another impressive result in June and pick up right where it left in May.

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