Both casino plans in the Stateline Area are still waiting on a final ruling as the Ho-Chunk Nation’s Beloit casino plan remains with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ office and the City of Rockford’s Hard Rock casino project is still under review by the Illinois Gaming Board. In Beloit, the Ho-Chunk plan remains on Evers’ desk, who is required to make a two-part ruling within one year of the plan receiving a favorable determination from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The...

The National Indian Gaming Association has been on top of the numbers since day one, hoping to protect the welfare of tribes across the nation. Chairman of the group, Ernest Stevens Jr., a Wisconsin Oneida Nation member, stated that gaming plays a big part as to what the tribe survives on. In many cases, if they do not have gaming, then they do not have money. Casinos in Wisconsin brought in almost $1.3 billion in gross revenues during the 2018-2019...

The $205 million redevelopment of Kenosha’s former Dairyland Greyhound Park into apartments, industrial buildings and offices could receive $22 million in city tax incremental financing. The Forest County Potawatomi Community and Zilber Property Group of Milwaukee are seeking approvals for that redevelopment. City officials on Thursday will hold a public hearing on a proposed TIF district to help finance the project. Read more here    

The American casino industry wants gambling regulators to make it easier to adopt cashless payment transactions on the casino floor, citing a desire to help customers avoid handling money during the coronavirus outbreak. In a report released Tuesday, the American Gaming Association, the gambling industry’s national trade group, called on regulators in states where gambling is allowed to update their rules or laws to integrate cashless options for gamblers. The push follows an 18-month study of the issue by both...

The West Bend man started a company called Quick Charge Kiosk that modified video gambling machines to provide charging for cell phones and put them in gas stations and convenience stores around the state. The Attorney General quickly deemed the kiosks illegal gambling machines, and seized many of them. Hahn sued, arguing the machines were more akin to winning a free soda if your pack of french fries had a random special prize sticker attached. Read more here    ...

The 89-year-old philanthropist is one of several big-name investors to receive shares in the sports-betting company since it went public through a reverse merger on April 23. According to a filing last week with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Quantum Partners, an investment vehicle run by Soros Fund Management, holds 2.7 million DraftKings Class A shares. Soros Fund Management oversees investments on behalf of the 89-year-old philanthropist and his family. Read more here

Plans for the Ho-Chunk Nation’s $405 million casino in Beloit are heading to Gov. Tony Evers’ desk after federal officials signed off on the project. Read more here. Ho-Chunk receives approval for Beloit casino (UPDATE)  

Millennials don’t like brick and mortar casinos.  They are much more interested in online activity.  This data breach and the consequent spike in young gamblers will ensure that our youth becomes the target of the online gambling industry. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7904287/Betting-firms-granted-access-database-28-MILLION-children.html  

This is a great example of lazy legislating.  Rather than focus on spending and responsible broad-based revenues, legislators look for ways to increase revenue without raising taxes.  The problem is, state budgets become dependent on gambling revenues and when they decline (and they will), taxpayers have to make up the difference. “Given the minor contribution of gambling revenues to state budgets, officials might be better advised to rely on broad-based revenues and spending controls rather than the relatively paltry revenues...