Issue 263
September 26 - October 2, 2005
Volume 5
page 2
 

Harrison County wants casinos ashore
As reported by
TheSunHerald.com

GULFPORT - The Harrison County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday asking the Legislature to amend state law and allow casinos to move ashore within 1,500 feet of their current locations.

Specifically, they endorsed putting casinos within 1,500 feet from the mean high tide line of the Bay of Biloxi, the Mississippi Sound and the Bay of St. Louis. Casino companies would have to contiguously own the property from the water except for highway easements and other public rights of way.

The measure would be limited to only those possessing a valid gaming license as of Oct. 1 - two days after the next scheduled meeting of the Mississippi Gaming Commission. The tight window would allow partially permitted casino projects, such as Bacaran Bay and Havana Casino, to complete their application processes.

Supervisors passed the resolution at the request of Mississippians for Jobs, an organization originally formed in 1989 to lobby for legalized gambling. Woody Bailey, a Gulfport businessman, said the organization re-formed after Hurricane Katrina put all 13 Coast casinos out of operation. The only casino with a time frame for reopening is the Imperial Palace, which plans to be back in operation by Christmas or New Year's Eve.

Mississippians for Jobs will ask other Coast counties and cities to pass similar resolutions.

No executive with the Coast casino industry attended the supervisors' meeting. The Mississippi Casino Operators' Association met in Jackson on Wednesday but did not issue any official stance on amending state law, said its executive director, Beverly Martin. The focus was on matching workers with employers until the industry can rebuild.

Michael Cavanaugh, a lawyer for several Coast casinos, worked with Bailey and County Attorney Joe Meadows on the wording of the resolution. Supervisor Marlin Ladner asked why 1,500 was chosen as the guideline.

"The water's edge is not the same wherever you go," Cavanaugh answered, adding it would make the law more equally beneficial to existing and partially permitted casinos.


 

 

 


eFlyte Offers Inflight Gambling to Airlines

Press Release

JACKSONVILLE, Florida - In a move designed to strengthen its position as the inflight entertainment (IFE) industry's leading game designers and developers, eFlyte announced the introduction of their latest product for the airline industry -- inflight gambling.

At the conclusion of a two year development program, the company believes that the time is now right, from both a technological and financial perspective, to launch gambling on the world's international airlines.

The inflight gambling system developed by eFlyte can be easily installed, requiring no upfront costs and is supported by a comprehensive data tracking and financial management system to process the credit card transactions.

Quoted David Morgan, CEO of eFlyte, "We believe that the time is right for inflight gambling to be introduced. A combination of factors influenced our decision to launch now. eFlyte's software architecture is proven, the new generation of IFE platforms are totally compatible with our software, while financial back office support has been validated to ensure the efficiency and reliability of the transaction processing. In addition, a number of international airlines have expressed interest in being updated on the feasibility of inflight gambling after all the excitement of nearly a decade ago."

eFlyte intends to provide airline passengers a fun, challenging way to pass time on long flights, with the added bonus of accumulating winnings while relaxing at 35,000 feet. The system will have strict player controls, with access by the swipe of a credit card which will be credited or debited in the same way as any other credit card transaction. Continued Morgan, "The idea is to provide airline passengers with a low-stakes gambling environment that will co-exist with movies, audio tracks and even our own casual games."

According to Dan Harris, President of eFlyte, "The airline industry has always been enthusiastic about the revenue generation potential of inflight gambling. Accordingly, during the WAEA conference in Hamburg, we will meet with companies interested in introducing our program."

eFlyte is dedicated to the development, implementation and operation of inflight entertainment products and services with a growing portfolio of inflight software that includes messaging, destination guides, games and 3D technology.

 

Las Vegas Sands Corp. Announces Plans to 'Usher in New Era of Entertainment' in Singapore
Press Release

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Looking to position Singapore as a leading international tourism destination, Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS - News) today announced a global strategic partnership with Clear Channel Entertainment (CCE) as part of its proposal to build an integrated resort and casino in Singapore.
"The partnership with Clear Channel Entertainment represents our efforts to usher in a new era of entertainment in Singapore and position the country as a unique, global entertainment and tourism hub," said Mr. William Weidner, president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. "Our successful business model of providing first-rate entertainment, world-class meeting and convention facilities, luxurious accommodations, extensive leisure and recreational activities, world-class dining and shopping, and event venues that provide global exposure, is the formula necessary to synergize and energize Singapore's current tourism infrastructure and draw visitors from around the world."

If Las Vegas Sands Corp. is successful in its bid for Singapore's Integrated Resort in Marina Bay, visitors and Singaporeans alike could expect Clear Channel to draw from an extensive range of productions like THE LION KING, HAIRSPRAY, CHICAGO, and THE PRODUCERS, or world-class musical acts like Madonna, U2, Sting, The Rolling Stones, and NSYNC. Clear Channel also specializes in a wide-variety of family entertainment shows, museum exhibitions, and specialized sports and motor sports events and televised events for a global audience.

Mr. Weidner added, "Together with Clear Channel Entertainment, we hope to offer a multitude of shows and events that will cater to a wide-variety of audiences. Las Vegas Sands' experience as a leading international resort developer and Clear Channel Entertainment's expertise in delivering world- class entertainment is a winning combination that will make Singapore a more exciting place to live, work and play, and highlight the country as a global destination for excitement and entertainment."

The Singapore partnership is not the first collaboration between the two entities. Both companies are currently developing a new version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical phenomenon The Phantom of the Opera. The production is slated to open next summer at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas. Directed by 20-time Tony Award Winner Hal Prince, the show's original director, the Las Vegas production will be housed in a brand-new US $30 million state of the art theatre and feature a full orchestra of live musicians.

"As a leading producer and marketer of live entertainment events, Clear Channel Entertainment has a proven track record," said Mr. Scott Zeiger, chief creative officer of Clear Channel Entertainment, and chairman and chief executive officer of Clear Channel Entertainment Productions. "Every year, more than 69 million people attend approximately 32,000 events staged by Clear Channel Entertainment including live concert, Broadway productions, family entertainment shows and exhibitions and motor sports events."

B.B. King

Stardust Resort and Casino: B.B. King, "The King of Blues," recently released his latest album, "80" which includes collaborations with Elton John and Eric Clapton.

Date: November 3-5

Time: 8pm

Price: $59.95

 
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