Wichita's gambling vote will affect the entire state

The Aug. 7 vote on gambling in Sedgwick County will have statewide consequences. Voters will decide if Wichita's dog track will be allowed slot machines and whether a casino will be built in the city at some location to be decided after the election.

As the state's largest city, Wichita serves a wide swath of Kansas as a health care, shopping, entertainment and business center. Thousands of Kansans commute to the city every working day to their jobs in its aircraft factories and other businesses and industries. Its population gives it significant political clout in the Legislature and at every statewide election. For years now, Wichita and Sedgwick County voters have determined who will hold the 4th District congressional seat.

How Sedgwick Countians vote on gambling will have a big impact on what the image of Kansas will be for years to come.

The editorial board of The Wichita Eagle took a hard look at these things and in its Sunday editorial advised readers to vote "no." "No" to slot machines at Wichita Greyhound Park; "no" to a casino in the city or anywhere else in the county.

Gambling as an industry won't help Wichita meet its long-range goals, the editorial argued, and would, in fact, distract city leaders from staying focused on creating a better, more stable and prosperous community.

Gambling, it noted, may be an appropriate industry for desperate communities that have no other hope to turn to, but Wichita doesn't fit that description. It is strong, vibrant, full of promise and can make a better future without slots and a casino than with them.

Sound arguments, one and all.

There is nothing in the American experience that ties casinos and slot machines to the building of outstanding cities, and much that pairs slot machines, roulette, blackjack and poker with higher crime rates, higher welfare costs and individual disasters.

On the other hand, gambling creates jobs, provides tax income to state and local governments and offers entertainment that many find enjoyable and nonthreatening. Gambling houses have operated legally in a very large number of nations around the globe for hundreds of years because they satisfy an urge to get something for nothing that is an enduring human trait, because they salve the urge to take risks in a relatively harmless way and because many are attracted by the carnival atmosphere that casinos and banks of slot machines provide.

Some cynical voters will also vote for legal gambling because it provides tax dollars that only gamblers pay.

On Aug. 7, the contest between these conflicting viewpoints will be given an acid test. Every public opinion poll taken to date has shown majority support for slots and casinos in the state. But when voters pull the curtain closed and mark their ballots, the principled arguments made in the Sunday Eagle may pull "no" votes from many who are still agonizing over this very important decision for Kansas.

Florida gaming score: Tribes, $1.6 billion; state, zero

It's noon on a recent Monday and "Glory Days" is pulsing through the speakers at the Seminole Hard Rock Resort and Casino.

The rhythm beats against the flashing lights of more than 2,000 so-called "bingo slots."

The Seminole and Miccosukee tribes are bending gaming rules to their limits with the bingo slots, which look and act a lot like regular slot machines, and making a fortune — $1.6 billion last year alone. And the state of Florida does not get a cent.

That could happen in Massachusetts if the Mashpee Wampanoag make good on a threat to open a bingo slots facility should state lawmakers fail to legalize Class III gaming, which allows for full-blown casinos.

The tribe is asserting its right to build a bingo slots casino with the same electronic machines on which Florida's Seminole, and the Miccosukee Tribe, have built their respective empires. The Wampanoag say they can do this because bingo, a Class II game, is legal in Massachusetts.

Nationally, five states offer only Class II gaming. But Class II revenue grew last year at a faster rate than revenue from casino gaming — Class III. About 90 percent of Class II revenue growth came from Florida, according to Alan Meister's Indian Gaming Industry Report.

If full casino gambling — traditional slot machines and table games — were legalized in the Bay State, Massachusetts officials would be required under federal law to negotiate a gaming compact with the its two federally recognized tribes. And it would be during those negotiations that the tribes could agree to give the state a cut of the action.

Examples abound. In Michigan, municipalities get 2 percent of tribal gaming revenue from Class III machines through a 1993 agreement between tribes and the state. Under a further agreement with other tribes in 1998, 8 percent of revenue from the machines goes to the state, in addition to the 2 percent to towns. Last year, those contributions totaled $20 million.

And while the Seminole have no revenue-sharing agreement with the state, it does compensate one of its host cities. When the tribe built a casino in Coconut Creek, it agreed to pay the city $1 million a year. That was recently increased to $1.6 million a year.

When Florida refused to let the Seminole open Class III casinos, the tribe turned to bingo slots. It now operates seven such casinos, which are largely responsible for the tribe's success.

Class II gaming was originally designed to include high-stakes bingo when the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed in 1988. But advances in technology have blurred the distinction between bingo and slots.

Bingo slots are rigged so players play against each other — not against the house, as with traditional slots — but the experience is still typical of a Las Vegas casino. Row upon row of tall metal machines with bright flashing lights and rolling sevens line the casino floor.

The Seminole casinos have no table games such as blackjack or roulette, but most casino revenues — more than 70 percent — come from slot machines. Had Florida officials negotiated for 25 percent of slot and table game revenue generated at Indian-run casinos, last year the state would have received almost $400 million.

No compact is required under Class II gaming, however. As all seven Seminole casinos are on reservation land, the tribe does not pay property taxes.

Now, almost 30 years after the Seminole opened their first high-stakes bingo hall, the state of Florida has finally realized it's time to negotiate.

Under Florida law, pari-mutuel facilities are allowed to offer traditional Class III slot machines, but in only one county. The Seminole, however, are asserting their right to do the same.

The tribe is arguing that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act gives them the right to offer any level of gambling that is legal in the state of Florida.

The Class III slots are expected to give the tribe a big financial boost, because casino gaming generates much more revenue. While Florida's eight bingo slot casinos brought in $1.6 billion in gaming revenue last year, Connecticut's two full gaming casinos brought in $2.5 billion.

Trinidad says no to casinos and slot machines

The Trinidad & TobagoGovernment is totally against the operation of casinos and all associated businesses, Conrad Enill, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, said earlier this week as debate on the Finance Bill 2007 began in the Senate.

Among a slew of provisions in the Bill is a clause that will officially make it illegal to import slot machines.

"These provisions define slot machines and tokens; removing any ambiguity as well as ensuring that slot machines are considered gambling machines," Enill told Senate President Linda Baboolal as he laid the bill for its second reading.

Enill said: "Accordingly, this measure will enforce the ban on the importation of slot machines with took effect from March 1, 2007, and will reiterate the position of the Government."

Once passed, the amendment will not immediately seal the fate of private members clubs, which offer slot machines as one of their main attractions.

Enill explained that the clubs will "continue to be able to operate within the parameters of the law", and he reiterated statements made previously by Prime Minister Patrick Manning that dialogue with the club owners will continue.

"On this basis the legislation provides this amendment will not be effective unless proclaimed," Enill pointed out.

The bill was passed in the House of Representatives on June 13, and had been introduced in the Senate last Monday. In addition to amending the Gambling and Betting Act, it also makes provisions for statutory increases in pensions, increasing the spending limits of the Chief Administrator of the Tobago House of Assembly, and also the elimination of customs duties on computer peripherals and certain types of telecommunications equipment.

Giving an account of the country's economic performance since the PNM took office, Enill admitted that while inflation was "the primary macro-economic challenge that faced Government", it was being brought under control and now stood at 7.9 per cent.

More jobs and businesses were being created and existing businesses were expanding to employ more people, he said.

Woodlands to get 800 slot machines

The Woodlands will get 800 slot machines, the Kansas Lottery Commission decided Wednesday.

That’s the same as a race track in Wichita. A track in southeast Kansas will get 600 slots.

The allocation was part of the rules and regulations adopted unanimously Wednesday by the commission, which said an additional 600 slots can be distributed by the lottery’s executive director, once the management contracts take effect.

Slots at the tracks were put in place by a gambling law enacted this year that also calls for four resort-style casinos in the state.

800 slot machines authorized for greyhound park

The Kansas Lottery Commission on Wednesday authorized the placement of 800 electronic slot machines at the Wichita Greyhound Park pending voter approval here.

The five-member lottery commission also approved 800 slots for the Woodlands track in Kansas City, Kan., and 600 slot machines for Camptown Greyhound Park in Frontenac. The commission also established rules and regulations governing the slot machines at the tracks.

But before slot machines can go in at the Wichita Greyhound Park, voters here must approve it. A referendum on the question, as well as whether a casino could be placed in Sedgwick County, is set for Aug. 7.

The actions follow a law created this year by the Legislature allowing slot machines at the three tracks and casinos in four areas of the state, including Sedgwick and Sumner counties.

All told, the law allows 2,800 slot machines among the three horse and dog tracks. But 600 of those slot machines won't be authorized until casinos are in place across the state.

Meanwhile, the Kansas Lottery Commission on Wednesday extended by 90 days the deadline for casino applications to be submitted in Wyandotte County, which approved casino gambling in June. The new deadline will be Dec. 31.

The Unified Government of Wyandotte County had asked for an extension, saying it expected a "great number" of casino proposals, the lottery says. The unified government must decide which proposal or proposals to endorse.

Sloth machine 'winners' may be charged

Prosecutors are considering filing charges against some Caesars Indiana casino patrons who walked away with too much cash from a malfunctioning slot machine.

Harrison County prosecutors have asked the Indiana State Police for casino videotapes and other evidence from the machine that malfunctioned last July, said chief deputy prosecutor John Colin.

Caesars lost $487,000 to patrons who used the machine installed with new software that wasn't designed for U.S. currency, state police said.

The machine gave gamblers $10 credit for each dollar they inserted.

A Caesars spokeswoman said some of the players returned the money after being contacted by the southern Indiana casino, but she did not know how many did or how much they returned.

The investigation was still pending partly because it has taken longer than expected to obtain casino records, Colin said. A decision on whether to bring charges could come within a couple of weeks, he said.

"This is a bit of an unusual case because you've got to go back and piece together who did what," he said.

Caesars found out about the mistake when Kathryn Ford of Louisville, Ky., noticed the slot machine had registered $200 when she put in $20. She and her husband alerted Caesars employees, but by then, more than two dozen gamblers had played the device.

Ford told The Courier-Journal of Louisville that she thought it was unfair to go after patrons. When a slot machine jams and gamblers lose money, they don't get it back, she said.

"It doesn't work in the reverse," Ford said. "They need to forget it and move on."

Colin said "criminal intent" may be involved when people played a machine they knew was faulty.

Airport gambles on slot machines

It is called the Essential Air Service program, but it props up air travel used by very few people. Five airports in West Virginia are among the 100 around the country where tickets are subsidized by the federal government.

The program began nearly 29 years ago, when President Carter and a Democratic Congress deregulated the airline industry.

The propping up of air service few people want is an expensive proposition.

"Excluding Alaska, where many air routes are subsidized, the Transportation Department paid out about $74 for each one-way passenger in the program in fiscal 2005, the New York Times reported last fall. "That is more than Amtrak's famously large per-passenger subsidy, which is $19 to $52, depending on how it is calculated."

While a case can be made for making federal taxpayers subsidize airlines to keep service to remote communities, why do taxpayers have to subsidize air travel to Lancaster, Pa.? It is only 66 miles from Philadelphia, which has direct flights to all over.

Pueblo, Colo., is only 40 miles from a major airport in Colorado Springs. But federal taxpayers still subsidize travel to the tune of $255 per ticket, one way, to Denver, which is 110 miles away.

Fortunately, Pueblo averages only five tickets sold per day. If it had as much traffic as O'Hare in Chicago, the federal government would go broke.

Even with subsidies, the Wood County Airport in Williamstown is having severe financial problems., and was down to its last $14,000.

Officials at the airport are toying with the idea of getting a liquor license and installing a few video slot machines to subsidize the cost of operations.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Here comes another agency that may seek to become dependent upon bettors to stay alive.

Sometimes, economic activity kept alive by such measures ends up looking like Frankenstein.

Casino Queen gets ready to move inland

Tom Monaghan, general manager of the Casino Queen, has on his best poker face.

In less than three weeks, the casino that has operated on a riverboat for 14 years is moving to fancier, larger quarters on the Queen's parking lot.

It will be the first of Illinois' nine casinos to move inland, but the gaming floor will still float, housed in a basin filled with 340,000 gallons of water. The rest of the facility, including five restaurants, a lobby and a gift shop, was built over dry land.

It's Monaghan's job to make sure the move is smooth.

Asked last week how he was doing, Monaghan replied, "I'll be better in 25 days."

He manages a smile as he pats a fat binder on his conference table that lays out the meticulous plan to set up one casino while preparing to shut down another. The biggest gamble comes Aug. 2, when the casino on the boat closes at 3 a.m.

Seventeen hours later — at 8 p.m. — the new, land-based Casino Queen will open to the public. Monaghan says the new casino will be easier to access, and all the gambling will occur on one level.

The current Casino Queen, fashioned as a replica of a 19th-century sidewheeler riverboat, sits on the east bank of the Mississippi River, across from the Gateway Arch.

Crunch time for casino operators comes July 30, when workers begin moving over four days roughly half of the 1,100 slot machines from the boat to the new building. The old slot machines will be installed alongside 547 new machines.

Most of the slots making the move are the penny and 2-cent machines, said Mitch Johnson, director of slot operations. They are the most popular with customers, he said.

While the riverboat has its charm, it is far from the grand Las Vegas-style casinos that more closely define the Casino Queen's competition in Missouri, including the $400 million Lumiere Place rising on Laclede's Landing. Monaghan has a nice view of the work from his Casino Queen office.

"There is no doubt that we'll have the premier gaming facility in Illinois," Monaghan said last week, deflecting comments about going head to head with larger casinos in Missouri, where there are loss limits. Illinois does not have such a restriction.

Two years ago, the Illinois Legislature changed the law to allow gaming boats on the Mississippi River to move to man-made basins. The Queen is the first to do so.

In Missouri, boat-in-a-moat casinos have been allowed since 1998. Nine of the state's 11 casinos — including all of those in the St. Louis area except the President Casino on Laclede's Landing — are set up that way.

The Queen, with its 1,100 workers, is the largest employer in East St. Louis, and its largest tax generator. About half of the city's $20 million operating budget comes from the casino. The new facility is expected to bring in $1 million to $1.5 million a year more for the city.

Monaghan said the bigger casino is expected to create more jobs, most notably in the food and beverage area. Until the casino is up and running, it is unclear exactly how many new employees will be hired, he said.

No matter how large the casino grows, the Queen has no plans to relinquish its "Loosest Slots in the Country" title, a trade publication honor that the casino has held for two years.

"Our marketing plan will not change," Monaghan said. Based on his facial expression, this was no bluff.

Miami Dade: Slot Machines Get New Chance

Voters in Miami-Dade County will get another chance to approve or reject the addition of slot machines at three pari-mutuels after commissioners decided Tuesday to put the measure on the ballot in January.

The last time there was a proposal to add Las Vegas-style slots to Miami-Dade County's horse and dog racing tracks and jai-alai fronton was in March 2005, but voters defeated the ballot measure.

At that time, Broward County voters approved slots for its four pari-mutuels, and that county's three racetracks have since expanded or renovated to accommodate the machines. Florida schools receive tax dollars from gambling revenues.

The referendum approved Tuesday would be added to the Jan. 29 ballot _ which already features the presidential primary and a proposed constitutional amendment on property taxes.

Supporters of slot machines contend they cold be cash cows for a county government facing a squeeze on property taxes.

Opponents of slots argue they bring negative social consequences such as gambling addiction.

Century Casinos to Add Slots Machines in Edmonton

Century Casinos, Inc. announced today that the Century Casino and Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, has received permission from the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission ("AGLC") to gradually increase the number of slot machines by nine percent, from 600 to a total of 654, until the beginning of September 2007.

Furthermore, as already reported, The Caledon Hotel, Spa and Casino has recently increased its number of slot machines by approx. six percent to 370.

First Anniversary of Century Casino and Hotel in Central City, Colorado

Century Casino and Hotel in Central City, Colorado, is celebrating its first anniversary with a wide range of great "Year of the Century"-promotions during the whole month of July. Therefore, its slot floor has seen a total makeover and now features the latest games and looser slots with higher customer payback. Furthermore, a high-limit area (subject to Colorado's legal five dollar wager limit), as well as an expanded video poker selection featuring a 29 machine linked bar progressive have been implemented.

Redecoration of Womacks Casino and Hotel in Cripple Creek, Colorado

To be able to provide our guests with the latest exiting games in a new, relaxed and convenient atmosphere, Womacks Casino is undergoing a complete remodeling. The first phase, the refurbishment of the bar areas, has already been completed before the July 4th holiday. Phases two and three, which will begin in August and include the transformation of Bob's Grill into the group's new restaurant brand Mid City Grill, as well as the redesign of, and improvements on, the gaming floor will gradually be finished before Christmas.

Slot machines are not just for racetracks anymore

For years I've been saying that we don't need slot machines just at Maryland racetracks, we need slots in many more convenient locations - preferably on everyone's front porch.

Problem there, is that we may run into a few of those "private property" wackos who might believe it an infringement on their "rights" if the government were to forcibly install a slot machine next to the rose trellis. They could tie the issue up in court, so it may not be worth the trouble.

But somebody besides me (and even better, somebody with power) has seen the light and wants to expand slot machines beyond the venues where they can only be accessed by either very dumb people or very smart horses.

Sen. Nathaniel J. McFadden said last week he wants the state to agree to a casino in Baltimore's Inner Harbor. If you didn't see that coming, you are also probably having trouble with the "sun rising every day in the East" paradigm.

I remember about four years ago taking a tour of the harbor, and one of the "sights" the boat's captain pointed out was a big expanse of land "where the new casino will eventually go."

Gov. Bob Ehrlich is opposed to the idea, but in the end, what is he going to do? His spending plan already balances the budget on the backs of the gamblers, so when push comes to shove he's going to turn down even more revenue?

What's a little gambling in the Inner Harbor going to hurt? Is he worried too much money will be put down on whatever team is playing the Orioles?

Blackjack, skipjack, what's the difference? Liven up that dreadfully boring old National Aquarium with some poker tables. ("When you said you were a card shark, I assumed...")

And once the precedent has been established for off-track slot machines, Hagerstown should step right up to the roulette table and put it all on green - as in let's go gambling.

From all I'm reading, no one needs the revenue more than the City of Hagerstown. And Laurel is such a long drive, and the Allegany County track hasn't even been built yet.

At first blush, I thought the Hagerstown Suns stadium would be a great casino spot, seeing as how it's been bought by people who have Las Vegas interests. Then I thought of turning the C&O Canal Towpath into the world's longest and least circular horse track. Race the ponies from Cumberland to Georgetown, meaning that every county from Allegany to Montgomery would be instantly eligible for slots.

But I'd been overlooking the most obvious choice.

The solution was brought home to me last week when I noticed a news story explaining how the cold weather was driving all the homeless people into the Washington County Free Library to keep warm. They get out of the chill, and all they have to do in return is sit around and read all day.

Well, obviously this creates a problem because - given the minuscule percentage of people in this county with college degrees - it means that the homeless people in this county are probably more educated than the ones living under roof.

Since libraries are hurting for fixed-address clientele as much as horse tracks, I figure slots would be a great draw. You could get all those dusty old books out of the Western Maryland Room and replace them with the shiny chrome and flashing lights of the video poker machine.

And all those meeting rooms downstairs? I mean honestly, who wants to hear a guest lecturer for the local chapter of the Audubon Society about the Indonesian cousin of the loggerheaded shrike drone on and on on the second Tuesday of every month?

Fill up the rooms with slots. I'm sure the Washington County Free Library and Casino would be a trendsetter. Or it would at least give the homeless something to do besides read.

201 slot-machines seized in Krasnoyarsk for 9 days

Activity of 15 casinos and slot-machine halls has been closed in the Krasnoyarsk Territory for 9 days. It is worth reminding that the regional law "About prohibition of gambling business in the Krasnoyarsk Territory" had come into effect on July 1. Gambling establishments are closed down in the region now, and this kind of business is being reshaped. However, police continues regular checkups to prevent law breach in gambling business.

14 gambling establishments were closed down in Krasnoyarsk and 1 in Achinsk. 15 administrative reports were drawn up, 201 slot-machines were seized. All the actions were sent to court. Police keeps working in this field, the regional interior department stressed.

Under the law "About prohibition of gambling business in the Krasnoyarsk Territory", any kind of gambling business except for bookmaker's offices and totalizators, must be stopped in the region from July 1, 2007.

Slot Machines Philadelphia Park Casino

At Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack, the burgundy-carpeted gambling room looks as though it could have been airlifted from Atlantic City and plunked down in this nondescript suburb off Interstate 95.

A continuous cacophony of electronic sound effects fills the room. Patrons sit transfixed, eyes glued to spinning wheels and pulsing lights. Most are oblivious to the fact that horses are running a mere hundred yards away.

As declining attendance and revenues threaten the existence of the horse racing industry in New Jersey and elsewhere, patrons are flocking to tracks around the country _ but drawn less by the prospect of poring over a Racing Form than by the lure of striking it rich by pulling a lever or pushing a button.

Ironically, they may be horse racing's last best hope.

More than three dozen racetrack casinos, nicknamed "racinos," have opened in 11 states since 1992 _ and in five states since 2004. Last year, they brought in $3.6 billion in gross gaming revenues, a 16 percent increase from 2005, according to the American Gaming Association. They also contributed $1.4 billion in state and local taxes, an increase of 12.5 percent from 2005.

More important, the increased revenues from racinos has enabled tracks to increase purses and remain competitive in a shrinking industry.

New Jersey has yet to allow racetrack slots, largely due to pressure from Atlantic City's casinos, which already have seen revenues decline since slots were introduced recently at race tracks in New York and Pennsylvania.

Currently, racinos coexist with commercial, non-Indian casinos in only two states, Iowa and Louisiana, though Pennsylvania will become the third when it opens its first freestanding slots parlor later this year.

New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine has not tipped his hand publicly, but the state's treasury department is studying the potential impact of racetrack slots and is scheduled to release a report later this summer.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley was far more emphatic last month when he said if the state didn't introduce racetrack slots, it ran the risk of losing the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown.

New Jersey will be the focus of the horse racing industry this fall when Monmouth Park, the state's premier thoroughbred track, hosts the Breeders Cup. But the boost is expected to be temporary.

"There is no future" for horse racing in New Jersey if slots _ or some other forms of revenue _ aren't developed, according to Dennis Dowd, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority's vice president in charge of horse racing. "That's a cold statement, but it's an accurate statement," he said.

Complicating the issue in New Jersey: Casinos have essentially supported the racing industry with subsidies totaling more than $80 million over four years. In exchange, the tracks have agreed not to pursue slots. The subsidies will run out at the end of 2008 if the agreement is not extended by the end of this year.

The handout from the casinos has been necessary because of horse racing's declining fan base. At the Meadowlands, considered the country's premier harness racing track, daily attendance averaged more than 16,000 from 1976-84 but fell below 4,000 last year, with a corresponding drop in on-site live wagering.

Nationally, the amount of money bet at race tracks in the U.S. fell from $2.9 billion in 1996 to $1.7 billion last year, a drop of more than 40 percent, according to the Lexington, Ky.-based Jockey Club, the breed registry for all thoroughbred horses in North America.

Off-site wagering at casinos, off-track-betting parlors or other racetracks has helped increase the Meadowlands' total handle _ the total amount of money bet on- or off-site _ but even those gains have eroded, illustrated by a drop in the daily average from $3.74 million in 1999 to $2.85 million last year.

Slots supporters say tracks in surrounding states offer a model New Jersey could follow. Pennsylvania's four racetrack slots parlors last month reported more than $300 million in revenues in the first six months of slot machine gambling. Philadelphia Park was able to increase its purses nearly 40 percent at the beginning of the year and attract "significantly" more horses, according to track spokesman Keith Jones.

In Delaware, slots installed in race tracks in 1995 have helped increase purses and turn around the state's struggling horse racing industry.

New York's Yonkers Raceway installed slot machines last year and began to attract larger fields for its races when it reopened earlier this year. Some of those horses _ as many as 50 by Dowd's calculation _ had been racing at the Meadowlands. The exodus forced the Meadowlands in March to cancel races on Wednesday nights.

"There's no question in my mind why it happened," Dowd said. "The fact that Yonkers opened and within 30 days took the number of horses it did from us was remarkable."

The theory that racetrack slots at the Meadowlands will cut into Atlantic City's casino revenues is bolstered by statistics from Iowa, which opened its first racino in 1995.

In fiscal 1997, covering the first full year of operation for Dubuque's Greyhound Park Racetrack and Casino, revenues at the crosstown Diamond Jo riverboat casino posted a 2 percent increase in adjusted gross revenues. A year earlier, Diamond Jo had posted a 51 percent increase.

More recently, Diamond Jo's revenues fell from $52.5 million in fiscal 2005 to $48.4 in fiscal 2006 while the racetrack casino's revenues rose from $43.9 million to $64.4 million.

The operators of Diamond Jo, Peninsula Gaming LLC, are gambling that moving the casino off the river next year as part of a new, $55 million land-based entertainment complex will reverse the trend.

"If you're offering a premier entertainment experience with good customer service, people will come," said Wes Ehrecke, president of the Iowa Gaming Association. "I use the example of movie theaters. You're going to want to go to a movie theater that has surround sound and stadium seating, and the right kind of food. If you don't continue to improve the product, people will go elsewhere."

Racing advocates in New Jersey say slots are necessary to improve their product, and have proposed sharing revenues with Atlantic City's casinos. They also note that Harrah's, which owns four casinos in Atlantic City, already operates a racetrack slots parlor in Chester, Pa.

"These are potential dollars that the state is losing," said state Sen. Paul Sarlo, a slots supporter whose district includes the Meadowlands. "We all are concerned about hurting the casino industry, but we also need to grow the economy."

With competing slot machines in neighboring states already blamed for a drop in first-quarter net revenues at Atlantic City's 11 casinos, that argument is a non-starter for some, particularly legislators in southern New Jersey near Atlantic City.

"We can't control what happens in New York or Pennsylvania, but we can control what happens in New Jersey," said state Sen. Stephen Sweeney. "The (casino) industry has made an enormous investment; why would we dilute it within our own state?"

South Florida Slots Volume Not Meeting Expectations

Las Vegas-style slot machines so far have not returned the expected payoff for Broward County racetracks and Florida schools, which were supposed to get a $177 million annual tax infusion from gambling proceeds.

Voter-approved slot machines at three South Florida racetracks generated about $44 million in tax revenue during their first eight months of operation, according to a review of state gambling records by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

So far only the Mardi Gras Racetrack & Gaming Center has met state expectations that each slot machine would generate an average of $219 a day, records show. The slots at Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino in Hallandale Beach were lowest with about $70 a day in income.

"Gulfstream's number is really anemic," said Joe Weinert, editor of Gaming Industry Observer. "I didn't really think it was possible for a casino in such an attractive area like Broward County."

Gulfstream was the first track in Florida to debut slot machines in November. Voters opened the door to the Vegas-style machines with a 2004 constitutional amendment that allows slots at horse and dog tracks and jai alai frontons in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Miami-Dade voters rejected slot machine gambling, but it was approved in Broward.

The fledgling racetrack slot industry is getting hammered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which does not pay taxes and operates the established Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Broward racetracks get less than 40 cents on every slot dollar after taxes and other fees.

"Every time I run a promotion, the Seminoles run three," said Dan Adkins, chief gaming executive at Mardi Gras Racectrack and Gaming Center. "If I run two television commercials, they run 20. If I buy a billboard, they buy six."

Charity slot machines a thing of the past in Norway

In a bid to combat gambling addiction, the Norwegian state has declared a monopoly on all slot machines and has given humanitarian organisations, volunteer groups and sporting clubs until July 1 to remove their machines from bars, supermarkets, airports, gas stations and other locations.

"There has been such an explosion of slot machine gambling in recent years that we had to do something to curb the social problems it causes," Halvard Ingebrigtsen, undersecretary of state at the ministry of culture and religious affairs, told AFP.

At most there were some 18,500 slot machines across Norway, which has a population of 4.6 million.

The ban on charity slots "will affect the manna that goes to good causes but our main concern is this scourge of gambling addiction," Ingebrigtsen said.

In a strange paradox that has seen vice fund virtue, slot machines have been one of the main sources of income for charities in the Scandinavian country.

In 2005, they represented a third of the Norwegian Cancer Society's revenues, and more than half of those of the Red Cross.

But authorities have decided to intervene in a bid to help the 71,000 or so Norwegians -- 1.5 percent of the population -- who are addicted to gambling and the 133,000 considered to be in the risk zone.

The average gambling addict in Norway spends 5,000 euros (6,700 dollars) a year on gaming.

"Behind each person is a household. The gambler's problems don't stop at him, they also become the family's problems," said Lill-Tov Bergmo, the head of PTS, a support group for gambling addicts' families and loved ones.

Slot machines run by charity groups and other private actors have increased their winnings three-fold in the five years from 2001 and 2006, when their gross sales ticked in at some 3.4 billion euros.

The charities, well aware that they are in a delicate moral position, have agreed to cooperate with the government.

"The slot machines were the cornerstone of our financial revenue," said Ingvar Johnsen, spokesman for the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue. "But we knew that it couldn't go on like that forever."

"From an ethical point of view, we were not very comfortable with the dependence on gaming that the situation created," echoed Norwegian Red Cross spokesman Bernt Apeland.

As of July 1, their one-armed bandits will be replaced by machines operated by Norsk Tipping, the state lottery monopoly, which will be less "aggressive" than their predecessors, according to government officials.

In return, the charities and volunteer groups will share a portion of the revenues generated by the state's machines.

But they can't expect to hit the jackpot -- their share of the profits will be significantly lower than what they have been accustomed to.

"We're trying to cut costs, we're rationalising, we're going through our expenses with a fine-toothed comb," said Apeland. "But we will not cut back on our charity activities."

The same goes for the Society for Sea Rescue, where they have also ruled out any cuts in operations.

Conscious of the fact that they have reaped enormous profits in recent years, the charities have set aside part of their earnings and invested it in funds.

But the PTS support group is still not entirely satisfied.

"We need a total ban on slot machines and, to prevent gamblers from seeking out internet sites, an early prevention policy, possibly as early as in daycare," Bergmo said.

Anderson horse track buying land for slot machine expansion

The owner of Hoosier Park in Anderson plans to buy 19 acres of land so the horse track can expand to add slot machines in the coming months.

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission on Friday approved a request from owner Centaur Inc. to buy the land. Hoosier Park president Rick Moore said construction plans have not been decided.

Indiana Downs near Shelbyville also is expected to undertake a construction project to house the 2,000 slot machines permitted under a new state law approved by legislators this year.

Casino marketing machines gear up for lucky day: 7-7-7

They are the luckiest of the lucky numbers. In gambling, they are revered. Anyone who's ever played a slot machine has hoped and prayed they would magically appear in a winning combination. 7-7-7. Ah, yes, the Magnificent 7s.

Soon, the calendar will come up triple 7s — that's July 7, 2007.

Recognizing a once-in-a-century marketing opportunity, casinos are capitalizing on what is expected to be a lucky day by offering gamblers promotional packages tied to a 7-7-7 theme.

Already, the date is bringing the casinos good luck.

This year, the gambling industry doesn't have to worry about another state budget crisis like the one that forced New Jersey gaming inspectors off the job and shuttered the casinos for three days last summer. The shutdown occurred from July 5 to 7, costing the casinos an estimated $50 million to $55 million in gaming revenue.

“I'm sure we'll be up a lot from last year,” Larry Mullin, president and chief operating officer of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, predicted with a laugh.

The weekend of July 7 is expected to provide the exclamation point on the Fourth of July celebration, traditionally one of the strongest holidays for Atlantic City's tourism market.

“I think it's going to be a great weekend,” Mullin said. “The holiday falls in the middle of the week. Some people will be on vacation for the holiday and some will extend their vacation into the weekend. That whole week should be pretty good for the market.”

Mullin maintained that a date corresponding to 7-7-7 is a good omen for numbers-obsessed gamblers who are hoping to strike it rich.

“I believe that people, mostly gamblers, are very superstitious.” he said. “You want people to feel good about that date. It's a natural. People feel very excited that it might be a good fortune date. You want to have something to tie into that.”

At Borgata, for instance, for $777 guests will be able to buy one of two “winning packages” offered July 7.

An overnight package is good for a hotel room, a seven-course meal at the Ombra restaurant and wine bar, access to the upscale Spa Toccare for two people and a gift basket.

Borgata also has a special spa package that promises “seven hours of pure decadence.” It starts with “four hours in heaven” with a jade stone facial and other pampering in the spa's luxurious Zen Suite. Then there's lunch in Borgata's VIP room, followed by a manicure and pedicure and a paraffin wax hand treatment. Spa guests are given a microfiber terry cloth robe to take home.

Tropicana Casino and Resort seems to be offering the most extravagant — certainly the most expensive — 7-7-7 package deal. For $7,777, guests will stay in a bi-level suite, enjoy two tickets to a show and receive a $700 spa credit, a $2,000 dining credit and a $2,000 shopping credit at The Quarter, Tropicana's Latin-themed retail and entertainment complex.

Tropicana has another package for $777 that entitles guests to a hotel room, a $200 spa credit and a $200 gift card for shopping or dining at The Quarter.

Other 7-7-7 promotions will be held throughout Tropicana and The Quarter, ranging from $7 admission tickets at the IMAX movie theater to special $7 drinks and meals to retail gifts priced at $7, $77 or $777.

At Harrah's Atlantic City, the casino is holding a seven-day sweepstakes offering $700,000 in prizes. Each day from July 1 to 7, Harrah's will give out $100,000 in cash and prizes for holders of its Total Rewards loyalty card.

Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort is planning a July 7 gift giveaway, ranging from digital cameras to diamonds. Trump Marina Hotel Casino will have a Lucky 7 free slot day promotion in which players will be reimbursed as much as $50.

But not all of the casinos in town are offering 7-7-7 packages. Apparently, they don't think it's going to be a lucky day.

The Meadows Opens With Slot Machines

The competition is on for gamers in the Tri-State area.

On Monday, officials at the Meadows Racetrack cut the ribbon for slot machines.

The Pennsylvania Legislature approved a measure for tracks like The Meadows to operate slot machines.

Mike Graninger, general manager of Meadows, said officials are optimistic about the racetrack's future. They are looking forward to competing against Wheeling Island in Ohio County and Mountaineer Racetrack in Hancock County.

There were a line of cars filled with people waiting to try their hand at the slots on Monday.

Graninger says they are going to be aggressive and pursue table gaming in Pennsylvania as well.

Indian Island Slots Measure Faces Further Voting

The Penobscot Tribal Nation is seeking support from both the house and senate to bring 400 slot machines to its High Stakes Bingo parlor on Indian Island. The tribe requested putting slots in its parlor because it has been losing money since Hollywood Slots opened in Bangor.

A preliminary 101-to-38 House vote meets the two-thirds threshold that would be needed to override a gubernatorial veto. But a 20 to 15 Senate vote, while enough to advance the bill, falls short of the supermajority that would be needed to override a threatened veto.

The revenue from High Stakes Bingo helps pay for the tribes fire department and human services. Tribal representatives say having slot machines would give them a fair chance to compete for gambling business.

"This is something we had in the past. We had an economic tool, it worked very well for us. Now that it's legal we're saying give us back our tool, our economic tool," said Donna Loring, Penobscot Nation representative to the legislature.

Opponents say slot machines were only approved in Maine when used alongside harness racing. They say if the Penobscot Nation starts using slots it will only move where money is spent, not help improve the economy.

AC Coin & Slot Unleashes MEGA Bonus(TM) Brand

AC Coin & Slot (AC Coin) today announced a new branding initiative for its proprietary slot machine division. MEGA Bonus(TM) is the umbrella brand under which all AC Coin and Slot games will operate. As part of the new branding, the company also launched a proprietary ad campaign focused on the results-based performance of its games. The "All About the Win" campaign has kicked off to highlight AC Coin & Slot's commitment to ensuring that both casino operators and slot players receive the utmost return for their investment.

MEGA Bonus branding for slot machines is inspired by the company's consistent success launching new games that are unique in design and entertainment value for players. Two of AC Coin's most successful bonusing games, Slotto(R) and Bankroll(TM), exemplify the attributes of the MEGA Bonus brand and set the benchmark for future offerings. As with these industry- leading games, all MEGA Bonus games are based upon a philosophy of simplicity with intuitive interfaces that attract both casual and experienced gamers. Each MEGA Bonus game increases player engagement with frequent spontaneous bonusing events that vary the gaming experience amongst plays and by displaying possible upcoming wins to keep players informed and excited.

MEGA Bonus brand games make a statement on the casino floor with fresh themes and bold designs that draw eyes from all around. Two new additions to AC Coin & Slot's library will be the highly-anticipated Super Slotto Celebration(R), which will debut in June, and Super Bankroll Bonus(TM), which installs later this year. These multi-player, community-style games take the breakthrough Slotto(R) and Bankroll(TM) bonus features to a whole new level and create a shared gaming experience amongst players.

"The MEGA Bonus brand unifies the several different styles of bonusing games that we offer to the market," states Jerry Seelig, AC Coin & Slot Executive Vice President and General Manager. "Over the past year, AC Coin has launched 15 different styles of games that appeal to varying types of casinos and casino players. We have merchandised these in 280 casinos throughout North America to bring value to our customers-and in turn, to slot players-through superior entertainment."

In total, 14 new bonusing slots will be introduced this year under the MEGA Bonus brand, all promising increased player interaction, hit theme music, and the best math models on the market. A new line of AC Coin bases, chairs, and signage is also included under the MEGA Bonus umbrella brand, offering alluring design and ergonomic comfort to casino slot players. The continuous development of MEGA Bonus brand products in 2007 and beyond will further AC Coin's proven record of performance and international reputation as a leader in bonusing innovation.