Gaming news briefs for March 25, 2005

Friday, March 25, 2005 | 10:38 a.m.

Hilton sale approved

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. -- New Jersey casino regulators signed off Thursday on the sale of the Atlantic City Hilton, a deal forced by the pending merger of two casino giants.

In a 5-0 vote, the state Casino Control Commission endorsed Colony Capital LLC's planned $513 million purchase of the casino from Caesars Entertainment Inc. The deal, which is expected to be closed next month, may go unnoticed by gamblers since the casino's name will remain.

The sale was prompted by plans for a $9 billion merger of Caesars Entertainment and rival Harrah's Entertainment.

Under New Jersey casino law, no one company or individual can control so much of the market as to suppress competition or threaten the market's economic stability.

Gaming proponents will pay for poll of residents

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A group trying to bring expanded gambling to Ohio settled on its next move: ask Ohioans what they want.

The decision came out of an unprecedented, three-hour meeting Thursday among lawmakers, local government officials, racetrack owners and representatives of the gambling industry.

The group will commission a poll of Ohioans to determine if they want gambling and if so, which type they would prefer, said Rep. Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican who convened the meeting at a private downtown club. Previously, the various interest groups conducted polling on their own, often leading to differing results.

"Let's make sure the questions are asked to everyone's satisfaction," Seitz said. "If it comes back and it shows that the Ohio voter is not ready for any of this yet, then we will be guided by that decision."

Lawmaker: 'Family-friendly' tourism must be protected

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- A key lawmaker said Florida's tourism industry needs protection from an upcoming attraction: slot machines in Broward County.

Rep. Frank Attkisson, R-Kissimmee, warned that waiters, motel clerks and theme park employees could face cuts in hours or vacations, even layoffs, if the gambling industry is allowed to poach other tourist areas in Florida.

Under a proposed bill outlined Thursday, regions that say casino businesses are luring their customers would be able to complain to a new state board, which would make recommendations to the state Business and Professional Regulation Department.

And that agency would have the power to revoke a gambling facility's license to have slots, Attkisson said.

Table games bill advances

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The state's infrastructure fund would receive $1 million from the casino-style table games proposed for West Virginia's four racetracks, under a bill endorsed Thursday by the Senate Finance Committee

The committee advanced the measure (SB442) to the full Senate after amending a provision that had the state and the tracks each devote $500,000 from game proceeds toward pensions for racing workers.

Those shares would instead benefit the state's fund for water, sewer and similar projects.

Quick action promised

CHICAGO -- The Illinois Gaming Board met for the first time in seven months Thursday, with its new chairman promising quick action on pending issues and independence from political influence.

The Gaming Board, which regulates casinos in the state, had been unable to meet or take action since August, when resignations left it with only two members -- one short of a quorum.