While the Caesars Entertainment takeover of Centaur Gaming is still expected to go through, it won’t be without some pain for Caesars. The Roman Empire has agreed to pay a $1 
million for improperly attempting to influence Hoosier State regulators or having “violated public trust and confidence in the integrity of Indiana’s casino industry.” Caesars essentially tried to shake down regulators by threatening to cancel a $90 million expansion project at Horseshoe Southern Indiana unless a $50 million property transfer fee was waived. Why? Because they’re Caesars, they’re big and they don’t have to play by the same rules as everyone else. It’s as though Gary Loveman never left.
Caesars’ improprieties also extended to strong-arming members of the Legislature over the issue. The denouement was CEO Mark Frissora putting his signature on a document conceding that his company’s actions “could serve to undermine 
the public’s confidence and trust in the integrity of the gaming industry in Indiana.” The company also admitted “full responsibility for the matters that led to the settlement agreement.” Caesars employees will have to receive compliance training and the company has to put better protocols for vetting employee communications in place. Indiana is enjoying a $55 million windfall since, in addition to the Caesars payments, it will be receiving $2 million in transfer fees apiece from Penn National Gaming (for Ameristar East Chicago) and Boyd Gaming (for Belterra). It’s a happy day for the Hoosier treasury.
* While the American Gaming Association‘s search committee for a new CEO is a boys’ club it has done something right by appointing General Counsel Stacy Papadopoulos as interim CEO. Her ascension dovetails with Geoff Freeman‘s departure. We don’t expect any major policy initiatives from her, given her interim status but the AGA could make a significant move toward smashing gaming’s glass ceiling by making Papadopoulos’ elevation permanent.
* Felix Rappaport may be gone but he’s not forgotten. Global Gaming Business has reposted an August 2016 audio interview with the Foxwoods Resort Casino CEO, enabling you to spend a half-hour in company with a remarkable man.
