internationalcasinoreview News NORTH AMERICA
Seminole’s to increase Tampa Hard Rock The biggest gaming floor in Florida is about to get even bigger with the Seminole Tribe of Florida launching a US$75m expansion at its Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa. The casino enlarged will have 220,000 square feet of gaming space, adding 750 slots, bringing the total to 4,926, and 12 table games, bringing that total to 105 table games. It also will add a five-storey parking garage with more than 1,300 spaces. The new venue will incorporate moving walkways. Construction is due for completion in April 2012.
‘Good partner’ Pinnacle to expand River City
Already voted the best casino in the area by the local press, River City in Missouri is gearing up for an expansion only a year and a half after opening. It’s owners Pinnacle have been described county executives as being the perfect partners.
growingalready UNITED STATES
Only 18 months after it has opened, Pinnacle Entertain- ment has announced a planned US$82m expansion at its River City Casino in south St. Louis County which will further extend the prop- erty’s market-distinct guest amenities and entertainment offerings. River City, which opened
in March 2010, will add a 200- room hotel, a 10,000 square- foot multi-purpose event centre and a covered parking structure with approximately 1,700-spaces. Construction on the expansion project is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2012 with an expected completion in the second half of 2013. Neil Walkoff, Pinnacle’s senior vice president respon- sible for River City Casino and its sister property, Lumiere Place Casino and Hotels, said: “Since River City’s opening 18 months ago, we have continued to garner very favourable guest responses for the gaming,
dining, entertainment and other guest amenities fea- tured at the property. The addition of a hotel, multi- purpose event centre and covered parking highlights our commitment to distin- guishing the property, will further elevate the level of leading guest amenities offered at River City, and ben- efits our efforts to grow our customer base in the market.” Pinnacle Entertainment
president and CEO Anthony Sanfilippo added: “Our River City and Lumiere Place facili- ties each offer distinct enter- tainment options in the greater St. Louis market and appeal to a broad base of con- sumers in the region that are increasingly choosing Pinna- cle’s properties as their des- tination of choice for gaming, dining and enter- tainment. This investment in River City reflects the impor- tance of this market to Pin- nacle and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ensure we can continue to meet the long-term needs of current and potential new
Greektown gears up for
superpit opening
allgreektome UNITED STATES
Greektown Superholdings has com- pleted the first phase of the remodelling of Greektown Casino in Detroit’s Greek- town Entertainment District. The grand opening on September 23
will showcase a completely renovated 10,000 square foot area in the centre of the casino, now known as the superpit. This project consolidates three sepa-
rate table game pits into one central loca- tion in the middle of the gaming floor, providing better access to both tables and slots. It also improves sightlines throughout the entire main casino level
with the removal of several interior walls. The superpit is one of several areas improved since the remodelling began in June. Also completed at this time are the remodelling of the Apollo Bar, now called The Fringe, a new first floor VIP promotions area and cage and club booth. Other phases of the remodelling expected to be completed by mid- December include a brand new bar/lounge and entertainment facility, as well as a new quick-serve food and bev- erage outlet on the first floor. The plans also call for a complete renovation of several main restroom areas. Michael Puggi, Greektown’s chief executive officer, said: “We’re continuing
22 October 2011 • northamericanews
to work to improve the gaming and enter- tainment experience for our customers. The superpit along with the other improved areas throughout the casino, create a new look and feel to our facility, which has to be seen to be fully appreci- ated. Other phases of our renovation plans are well underway. As with any ren- ovation, there is some short-term disrup- tion to our business, but we are confident that the changes which are underway will provide meaningful shareholder value over the long term. We also look forward to breaking ground on our new 850-car valet parking facility early next year, subject to obtaining the necessary financing and regulatory approvals.”
guests. The addition of a hotel and multi-purpose event centre at River City are important new features for the property that will increase the level of guest satisfaction through an expansion of entertainment offerings. In addition, the covered parking structure will provide a new guest con- venience that will make visit- ing River City an even better experience. We believe this investment will promote the
growth of tourism in this market, specifically in south St. Louis County and the city of Lemay. This will provide new economic benefits to local community residents and businesses.”
“South County has seen
tangible, direct benefits since River City opened,” said St. Louis county executive Charlie Dooley. “We have seen good jobs, new infra- structure and a renewed vitality in this area. By deliv-
ering on River City’s com- mitment to expand, Pinnacle is demonstrating they are good partners to St. Louis County and good neighbours in Lemay.”
Meanwhile, the Missouri Gaming Commission has given an initial approval to amend self-banning laws to allow gamblers to remove themselves from the list after five years. Chairman Jim Mathewson said the commission would
still consult the public before guaranteeing the move. A final vote is expected in December with the new law following two months later if approved. Missouri was seen as being a pioneer with the launch of its the self- exclusion list, known as the ‘disassociated persons program’ as anyone signing up to it was agreeing to their subsequent arrest if they visited any of the state’s casinos.
California delays online poker laws until 2012
matteroftime UNITED STATES
California’s Senate president Tem Darrell Steinberg has come out in favour of legalising internet gambling in California but believes any discussion on legislation should be left until next year.
Steinberg said in a letter to gambling companies: “We believe that well thought out, fair solutions to these differences can be reached, but not before the end of this legislative year on September 9.” The California Online Poker Association said: “The fact that Senate Pro
Tem Steinberg has declared his support for online poker and has called for a vote in January just goes to show that online poker is about ready to happen. After eight Legislative hearings involving dozens of witnesses, it makes sense that online poker’s time has come.”
But others expressed disappointment in the timing. Lou Correa, a democrat in Santa Ana who was hoping to push a bill through legalising online poker, said: “I’m disappointed because time is of the essence. I was hoping to have California at the forefront of this movement.”
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