Gaming briefs for April 16, 2004

Friday, April 16, 2004 | 10:32 a.m.

Casino classes approved

JACKSON, Miss. -- The state College Board approved a degree program in casino management at the University of Southern Mississippi.

Board member Roy Klumb of Gulfport, chairman of the board's Academic Affairs Committee, said he received thousands of e-mails this week in opposition to teaching gambling-related courses in the state's public universities. He said the e-mail campaign had been encouraged by the Tupelo-based American Family Association.

He said the courses in question would train casino and resort executives, not employees who would be running the games of chance.

USM Provost Tim Hudson said earlier that the school already faces Gulf Coast competition from a Tulane University branch that teaches all aspects of casino management from accounting to marketing.

Expedia in pact with casinos

The Golden Nugget hotel-casinos in downtown Las Vegas and Laughlin have signed an agreement with Internet travel service Expedia Inc. to offer travel reservations online.

Under the agreement, Expedia will offer technology on the Golden Nugget Web site that will allow customers to book a combined hotel and air package. The deal makes the Golden Nugget one of the first casino properties in Las Vegas to allow customers to book a complete trip on on Web page, property executives said.

"The Internet is an increasingly important source of room bookings for Las Vegas travelers so we set out to offer an advanced, user-friendly booking engine seamlessly integrated into our Web site," said Tim Poster, co-owner of the Golden Nugget properties.

SANTA FE, N.M.:

Jack Harkleroad, chairman of the New Mexico Gaming Control Board, has died after suffering a heart attack. Harkleroad was appointed in January 2003 by Gov. Bill Richardson.