Casinos

What’s Up With Macau?

Last week, Macau announced that only those prospective casinos that have already had construction plans approved would be developed to fruition in the Special Administrative Region of China. It was a clear sign that Macau was actively governing limiting the development of casinos there.

Now, Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui may reclaim land once promised to casino operators, and use those sites for other development purposes, such as small residential developments for the middle to lower-end market. In a statement to the media, Chui said that the government would follow all legal process to reclaim land that’s not being developed. Chui’s been at his post for only three months – replacing Edmund Ho in December – but he’s already shaking things up big time.

Not necessarily stellar news for four of Nevada’s premiere casino companies – Wynn Resorts Ltd., MGM Mirage, Harrah’s Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands Corp. – each of which had casino plans in predevelopment.

Is it political posturing? Only time will tell.

Published 1 day, 2 hours ago

41st Annual WSOP Ramps Up

The 2010 World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions – taking place as per usual at Vegas’ Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino – is putting up a huge 1 million dollars as its ultimate prize pool.

The event will be comprised of 27 players who will participate in the No Limit Hold’em freeroll, and 20 of them will be selected by public voting. Voting begins March 15 on www.WSOP.com until June 15. Only form WSOP bracelet holders qualify as of the 20 fan-voted participants. There are over 500 WSOP bracelet winners, so whittling it down to 20 certainly isn’t an easy task.

Five entries into this tournament are automatic (the 3 form WSOP Tournament of Champions are in, along with the reigning World Series of Poker champion, and his European counterpart). What that means is Anny Duke, Mike Matusow, Mike Sexton, Joe Cada and Barry Shulman are in like Flynn.

Play will commence on Sunday, June 27, 2010. Once the final nine players are reached, play stops. Those lucky nine return to the scene on July 4, 2010 to play for their cut of the million bucks.

ESPN will air the No Limit Hold’em event in a two-hour telecast on August 3, 2010.

Published 3 days ago

Rival Gaming’s New Slot Targets Nostalgia

Rival Gaming has released a new five reel, 20 payline online slot game, and it goes for the nostalgia jugular with gusto. Candy Cottage focuses on the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale. Choosing this particular fairy tale is marketing savvy at its best – it’s one of the world’s most well known Brothers Grimm tale, so global recognition becomes a non-issue.

In an introductory clip, Hansel and Gretel walk through the forest until they run into the game titular Candy Cottage, where they meet the wicked witch and their fate.

Game symbols are perfectly aligned with the Hansel and Gretel / candy theme. Players will find bright and sharply drawn Bread Baskets, Ducks, Chocolates, Sweets, Candy, Jelly Beans and of course the intrepid brother and sister team themselves, Hansel and Gretel. The wicked Witch is also one of the classic symbols found in this game. And let’s not forget this tale’s centerpiece, the Furnace, which here in this slot also takes center stage and functions as this game’s expanding wild symbol.

Other symbols include the Candy Cottage symbol which triggers 10 free spins with a 3x multiplier. As well, the Cage symbol triggers a bonus round if you hit three or more. You’ll be taken to a second screen to find the witch wants to fatten Hansel (you) up. She tosses candy in the air, and it’s your job to move Hansel so that he crams as many of the pieces of candy in his mouth as possible. The candies eaten by Hansel are eventually converted into bonus points.

One special aspect that sets this game apart from others can be found in its sterling animation – the chocolate bar gets bitten, jelly beans squirm, and the furnace not only expands but then lights up, flames a-spurting. Players can bet up to 10 coins per payline (200 coins maximum per spin), and coin range can be anywhere from $0.01 to $0.25. The highest payout of 2500 coins is equal to a huge $6250 contingent on maximum betting.

Published 6 days, 23 hours ago