Issue 161
October 13 - October 19, 2003
Volume 3
page 2
 

Maryland Leaders Decide Against Casinos

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland - The three most powerful men in Annapolis have agreed that there will be no gambling casinos in Maryland. Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., House Speaker Michael E. Busch and Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. had a meeting of the minds at a private dinner Tuesday night in the governor's mansion.
The agreement comes despite the swarming of casino lobbyists in Annapolis, with gambling companies sniffing around the state for possible sites and floating detailed proposals that gambling interests say will generate far more cash than what they derisively term slots barns at racetracks.

Ehrlich (R) said Thursday that if the casino companies are pushing for destination resorts, they are wasting their time and money on lobbying. The private dinner meeting included Treasurer Nancy K. Kopp (D), Comptroller William Donald Schaefer (D), several members of Ehrlich's staff and key Democratic and Republican lawmakers. It was the first major summit of the state's fiscal leadership in months as the state faces an $800 million fiscal hole next year and projected to rise to nearly $2 billion a few years later. Tuesday night's dinner, seen as an icebreaker, had been scheduled for a few weeks ago, but Hurricane Isabel got in the way. Feasting on steak and crab cakes, the powers that be discussed slots and taxes, although with no new proposals or breakthroughs.

Opposition to casinos appeared to be the one area where the parties are in agreement. Miller and Ehrlich have long backed plans for slots at horse-racing tracks, but Busch had flirted with the idea of destination casinos. Racetrack owners who are backing slots plans of their own have lobbied against casinos, even joining forces at times with anti-gambling groups to help stave off competition.


 

 

 

Washington Tribe to Build $60 Million Casino - SNOQUALMIE, Washington - As reported by the King County Journal: The Snoqualmie Tribe hopes to break ground soon on a $60 million casino that sets itself apart from other tribal gambling halls with low-key ambiance and a sweeping Snoqualmie Valley view.

Though the 147,000-square-foot casino will be just 500 feet from Interstate 90's Exit 27, it `won't be a beacon in the woods,' said Ray Mullen, the tribe's director of economic development.
The proposed casino, which could be operating as soon as a year and a half from now, will be visible from neither the freeway nor the town of Snoqualmie below. It will sit on 56 sloping acres at the northeast corner of 372nd Avenue Southeast and North Bend Way, just south of town.

Though details remain under negotiation, the casino would include at least 460 video slot machines and 54 gaming tables, plus three restaurants, gift stores and a multipurpose room for live entertainment and conferences. Tribal arts and crafts will be incorporated throughout, but `we will not shove our culture down your throat,' Mullen said. He said the casino would employ 700 people. Total tribal membership is about 540.

Slot Sets World Record - PRIMM, NV -- A dollar Wheel of Fortune® slot machine set a new world record for the MegaJackpots(TM) system Sunday night when a California man won $10,745,500. The Wheel of Fortune® jackpot was hit at Primm Valley Casino in Primm, Nevada, at the California state line. The winner was on a golfing holiday with friends and staying at the resort.

Wheel of Fortune® is the most successful slot machine theme ever developed. International Game Technology, the company that manufactures the machine, had just begun to advertise the jackpot as statistically overdue. It was last hit in May 2003 for $2.1 million. Only Nevada Megabucks® and Jeopardy!® quarters have climbed to larger jackpots. Megabucks® paid $39.7 million in March 2003, and Jeopardy!® was hit in Biloxi, Miss., in May, paying $13.8 million.

Wheel of Fortune® is based on the world's most popular game show and is one of 22 Nevada MegaJackpots(TM) systems operated by IGT, a world leader in the manufacturing of gaming machines and proprietary software for progressive gaming systems. All IGT MegaJackpots(TM) top awards are paid in annual installments upon verification, except MegaJackpots Instant Winners Jackpots(TM) and Rapid Riches MegaJackpots(TM) awards, which are paid in their entirety upon verification.

DAVID BOWIE

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa announced today that David Bowie will commence his North American "A Reality Tour" at Borgata on December 6, 2003. Welcomed by Tommy Hilfiger, the tour is in connection with Bowie's new album "Reality," which follows last year's critically acclaimed, million-selling "Heathen" album. Macy Gray is the special guest on the North American leg. The concert will start at 7:30pm in the Borgata Event Center and will accommodate close to 2,100 Bowie fans. Ticke

Price: from $86.00

Price Note: May not include all taxes & fees.

Reservations: Reservations Recommended

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