Gaming briefs for September 28, 2004

Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2004 | 10:46 a.m.

Company amends proxy statement

Mandalay Resort Group is seeking shareholder approval to adjourn the company's annual meeting to solicit additional proxies if there aren't enough votes to approve its merger with MGM Mirage at the time of the meeting.

In an amended proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday, Mandalay recommended that shareholders vote for the merger and in favor of the proposal to adjourn the meeting, if necessary.

The boards of MGM Mirage and Mandalay Resort Group have approved a $7.9 billion merger agreement in which MGM Mirage would acquire Mandalay for $71 per share.

Mandalay postponed its July 6 shareholders meeting after announcing the merger agreement. The company didn't disclose the new date for the meeting.

Slot maker to create Anderson slot machine

Alliance Gaming Corp. has entered into a licensing agreement with sex symbol Pamela Anderson to create a new Playboy brand slot machine.

Anderson will be featured on a version of the new Playboy "Get Lucky Wheel" progressive "QuarterMillion$" slot machine with a jackpot that begins at $250,000. The machine will feature photography shot exclusively for the company by photographer David LaChapelle.

Anderson will introduce the slot machine in person Oct. 6 at next week's Global Gaming Expo at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Executive director of California association resigns

Jacob Coin, executive director of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, has resigned in order to "pursue new opportunities."

Coin, who served for four years as the head of CNIGA, will remain in his position until October 6, the group said.

CNIGA's executive board will soon begin a search for a new executive director, association chair Anthony Miranda said.

"Though his presence at CNIGA will be missed, we look forward to working with Jake in the common struggle to protect and enhance the rights of California tribal governments," Miranda said.

The association represents 65 tribes on a variety of gaming and non-gaming issues.

Buffett featured in anti-gambling ads

OMAHA, Neb. -- Billionaire Warren Buffett says in a 30-second commercial that just as states should not sell needles to encourage drug addiction, they should not sponsor gambling addictions by legalizing casinos.

The ads, which also include Nancy Osborne, the wife of U.S. Rep. Tom Osborne, began airing Saturday night.

They were commissioned by Gambling with the Good Life, a group devoted to defeating two measures on the November ballot that would expand gambling in the state.

Pat Loontjer, executive director of group, said the ads cost $50,000 and that Buffett and Osborne donated their time.

Osborne says in the commercial that casino profit would "make a U-turn and head straight to Las Vegas," instead of going into Nebraska.

In Buffett's commercial, he says when his children were young, he bought them a slot machine to teach them how quickly gambling can deal defeat.

"For several weeks, I was getting back that allowance" from them, he says.