“Wynn and MGM are going to Atlanta,” said Georgia state Rep. Al Williams (D), trying allay hopes/fears that megaresorts are going to be sprinkled across the Peachtree State. State Rep. Ron Stephens (R) is 
particularly bullish, projecting six casinos throwing off $1 billion in tax revenue a year. They’re two of a number of legislators who are marching through Georgia, talking up the benefits of casino legalization. The main selling point is that gambling revenues could shore up the HOPE Scholarship fund. As Valdosta Mayor John Gayle put it, “I’m not a proponent of gambling. But I am a proponent of things that would benefit the state.” Especially if Valdosta could siphon off players from northern Florida, I’m sure.
State Sen. Ellis Black (R) explained the rationale for the listening tour thusly, “I don’t think people are going to allow a constitutional amendment if they don’t know what’s in it.” Good point. The same could be said for the Lege, which has to approve aforesaid amendment by a two-thirds majority—at which eventuality the opposition of Gov. Brian Kemp (R) becomes basically moot. The issue then goes to the voters, who must muster a supermajority of “ayes.” It’s not quite as hard as threading a camel through the eye of a needle but it’s close.
* It’s been 14 years since Tigre de Cristal casino opened, still the only gambling house in the Primorye casino zone and Lawrence Ho has long since fled in protest over high taxes, but Vladimir Putin is still focused on making it the Las Vegas of Siberia. Acting Vice Governor Konstantin 
Shestakov claims that as many as 11 casinos are in the pipeline. “We have entered the final stage of constructing two new entertainment complexes with casinos in the gambling zone. An investor from Cambodia is completing an 11-story hotel with a casino and a concert hall, while a Russian investor … will launch its casino tentatively in March 2020,” said Shestakov. As much as $1.2 billion has been invested and infrastructure is belatedly being installed. At least two casinos are certain: NagaCorp‘s $350 million Primorsky Entertainment Resort City (say that five times fast) and $270 million Diamond Fortune, both of which ought to debut next year. Maybe Putie can get the Trump family to build in Primorye …
* Derek Stevens‘ three-story sports book (with $20 million TV screen to match) sports book at Circa is predicted to be a game-changer as far as Las Vegas sports books are concerned. However, we don’t agree with Las Vegas Weekly‘s contention that “tucked away in a corner off the casino floor.” The fame of the erstwhile Las Vegas Hilton and of Caesars Palace rested partly on their plus-size sports books. Still, Stevens is 
throwing down a challenge that Downtown casinos will be hard-pressed to match, short of gutting their properties. The action in the book proper will be augmented with digital tote boards around the resort, the better to drive Stevens’ mobile-wagering application. Sports will also be televised on the tri-level pool deck. “I don’t know if it’s going to be the biggest outdoor screen in the country, but if it’s not, it’s damn close,” says Stevens, who adds that handle at the Golden Gate and The D is already exceeding expectations. Why not be upbeat about Circa?
* As though three applicants for the Arkansas casino license in Pope County weren’t enough, the Cherokee Nation is getting into the action. Unlike the Choctaw Nation it does not have the requisite local officials in its corner. Besides, a decision on Pope County is unlikely to be 
forthcoming from the racing commission before two lawsuits are ruled upon or settled. The outcome of a vote in Pope County that went against casinos was overruled by the Quorum Court, so it’s everybody into the pool. The Cherokee were one of two tribes behind misleading advertising for pro-casino ballot initiative Driving Arkansas Forward. The Cherokee are also operating in tandem with Jerry Jones‘ Legends hospitality company. “Legends will manage the process for the design and development of the complex, conceive the culinary experience, and help [the tribe] to monetize the guest experience for non-gaming attractions,” the Cherokee explained.
* Speaking of the Cherokee, they will see Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt‘s demand for higher taxes (aka exclusivity fees) and raise him $2.2 billion in 2018 economic impact. That includes $31 million in fees and $836 million in wages. The Sooner State tribes are not averse to higher taxes if 
Stitt acknowledges that their compacts roll over at the end of this year. So far Stitt has not budged. Said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr., “We will call this place home forever. We don’t outsource jobs. We don’t leave the state when the going gets tough. We don’t move our headquarters out of state for new production overseas … But good friends must show each other respect. As chief of the Cherokee Nation, I insist upon respect for the Cherokee Nation.”
Replied state Secretary of Commerce & Workforce Development Sean Kouplen, “I believe that this nation deserves our respect, deserves our thanks and we appreciate so much the partnership you have given … When you look at the impact that 38 tribal nations have in Oklahoma and you begin to imagine what our state would be without that tremendous impact, it’s a pretty scary thought, no question about it.” It’s nice to know that not everybody in Oklahoma state government has drunk the Stitt Kool-Aid.
Jottings: Having failed to sell MGM Grand on the open market, MGM Resorts International is now trying to slough it off on MGM Growth Properties, according to Sheldon Adelson‘s Las Vegas Review-
Journal … Macao‘s MGS Entertainment Show appears to have been a flop, despite some mathematical voodoo that MGS used to bolster the numbers. Unlike Global Gaming Expo Asia, no promotion of “illicit” Internet gambling was spotted … The ashes of Mandalay Bay Massacre shooting victim Kim Gervais are going to hit the road … The United States is set to overtake China in the e-sports market, with a 37% share. The U.S. is estimated to generate $409 million in e-sports revenue, compared to China’s $210 million. Sponsorships create nearly half of American revenue, which is projected to escalate to $691 million by 2022. Casino game developers, take note … Riverwind Casino in Oklahoma is going green with a vengeance. Good on them …
