United States: Gaming Legal News - June 13, 2013 - Volume 6, Number 13

RICHARD KALM REAPPOINTED MGCB EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

by Robert W. Stocker II

Richard Kalm, whose appointment as Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board was set to expire this year, has been appointed by Governor Snyder to serve an additional six-year term as Executive Director of the MGCB. The appointment has received the requisite approval of the Michigan Senate. At this past Tuesday's Michigan Gaming Control Board meeting, MGCB Chairman Robert Anthony congratulated Mr. Kalm on his reappointment. Kalm has successfully overseen the implementation of a significant expansion of the duties of the Michigan Gaming Control Board via Executive Order in the oversight of Michigan's horse racing and charitable gaming industries, while continuing to regulate Detroit's three commercial casinos and their supplier network as well as overseeing compliance of Michigan's tribal casinos with their tribal/state gaming compacts.

ICGRT CONFERENCE HUGE SUCCESS

by Robert W. Stocker II

The 15th Annual International Conference of Gambling & Risk Taking was held the last week of May at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The ICGRT is the brainchild of the late UNLV-Reno Professor William R. Eadington, whose commitment to the study of gambling and risk taking was outlined and honored at the conference dinner. The ICGRT is typically held every three years under the auspices of UNLV, although this year's conference was delayed a year due to the passing of Dr. Eadington last year. The ICGRT, which encourages submission and discussion of substantive academic research papers at the conference, is recognized as the most multi-disciplinary gambling conference in the world. This year's conference hosted the largest turnout of academics and industry representatives in the history of the conference under the leadership of Professor Bo Bernhard of UNLV-Las Vegas. The special strength of this conference is the presentation of fundamental worldwide academic research in gambling and risk taking. A highlight of the conference was a mock trial on the question of whether or not social gaming should be regulated. In addition, Dr. Bernhard hosted a gathering of representatives of the various associations and organizations participating in the conference to discuss ways in which the dialogue between academia and related academic research can more effectively interplay with the casino industry in addressing problem gambling issues and effective problem gambling identification and treatment.

DETROIT CASINOS' MAY REVENUES DECREASE FROM SAME MONTH LAST YEAR: MICHIGAN GAMING CONTROL BOARD RELEASES MAY 2013 REVENUE DATA

by Ryan M. Shannon

The Michigan Gaming Control Board ("MGCB") released the revenue and wagering tax data for May 2013 for the three Detroit, Michigan, commercial casinos. The three Detroit commercial casinos posted a collective 1.6% decrease in gaming revenues compared to the same month in 2012. Aggregate gross gaming revenue for the Detroit commercial casinos also decreased by approximately 2.9% compared to April 2013 revenue figures, continuing a similar decrease in revenues between April and May in prior years.

MGM Grand Detroit posted lower gaming revenue results for May 2013 as compared to the same month in 2012, with gaming revenue decreasing by nearly 6.6%. MGM Grand Detroit continued to maintain the largest market share among the three Detroit commercial casinos and had total gaming revenue in May 2013 of approximately $48.3 million. MotorCity Casino had monthly gaming revenue in excess of $39.6 million, with revenues increasing by more than 7.1% in May 2013 compared to May 2012. Greektown Casino had monthly gaming revenue exceeding $28.5 million, and posted a 3.8% decrease in revenues for May 2013 compared to the same month in 2012.

The revenue data released by the MGCB also includes the total wagering tax payments made by the casinos to the State of Michigan. The gaming revenue and wagering tax payments for MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Greektown Casino for May 2013 were:

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.