The Mystic Gambler

Senior-level executives part of the gaming industry in Nevada require licenses that permits them to operate in the area. Usually, such license applications are reviewed by the state gambling regulator, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), and subsequently undergo approval by the Nevada Gaming Commission. Only recently, the NGCB reviewed and advanced license applications for several managers and executives, employed by Las Vegas Strip casinos.

NGCB Reviews Applications of Gaming Executives

The list of executives who saw their applications advance includes Najam Shafaat Khan, executive vice president and general manager at Treasure Island, Balamurugan Ganesan, manager of Mesquite Gaming.

Executives who also saw their applications advance include Ryan Christopher Paulos, vice president and general manager at Boyd Gaming’s Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Christopher Michael Joy, vice president and general manager for Boyd’s The Orleans Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

The latest announcement comes at a time when Las Vegas hotels and casinos do not expect mass deportations, despite the announcement about Donald Trump’s immigration plans for undocumented residents. While mass deportations are unlikely to affect the sector, considering its extensive contributions to Nevada and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it supports, late in January, people concerned with the new President’s plans protested near the Trump hotel in Las Vegas.

The Executives Discussed a Number of Hot Topics

During a recent hearing with the NGCB, the aforementioned executives spoke to Board members, addressing some concerns and sharing information about recent company activities. Treasure Island’s EVP and general manager, pointed to a recent redevelopment the operator completed which involved an investment of $33 million for room plumbing and other upgrades, as announced by CDC Gaming.

Khan also pointed to strategic company assets that position it well for further growth, giving 102 acres of land as an example. While Treasure Island’s owner, Phil Ruffin, has put Circus Circus up for sale, Khan admitted that so far there’s no progress made in that direction.

Similarly, Ganesan pointed to a multi-million-dollar investment by Mesquite Gaming. “We’ve invested more than $25 million in phase one, expanding the gaming floor with over 200 new machines,” he said while speaking to members of the NGCB. Similarly to Khan’s application, Ganesan also saw his licensing progress.

Joy, the general manager at Boyd’s The Orleans Hotel and Casino, pointed to the strong results the venue recorded recently. While recent financial figures were good and the property continues to be busy, the executive said that a slight decrease is observed when compared to “the peak in 2023.” Joy added: “We have a lot going on.”

After the recent meeting with the NGCB, the executives are going to seek approval for their licensing from the Nevada Gaming Commission. The regulatory body is expected to review the matter later this month.

The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) has said no to a request to stop giving out a gambling license for the $275 million Cedar Crossing Casino in Cedar Rapids. All members of the commission agreed on this decision. This happens while Riverside Casino & Golf Resort is taking legal action saying the IRGC went too far when it said yes to the project.

Riverside Casino Sues IRGC Over Linn County Gambling License Approval

Riverside Casino and its nonprofit partner, the Washington County Riverboat Foundation, have sued the IRGC for its decision. They argue that the commission had no legal right to give a gambling license in Linn County. Their main point focuses on the 2021 Linn County gambling referendum. They say this referendum had wrong wording and did not clearly allow a new casino to open.

Despite asking for a pause on the license approval, the IRGC did not budge, as reported by The Gazette. They said courts should settle this, not regulators. Alan Ostergren, the only lawyer on the five-person panel, stressed that those against the license can still take it to court. He noted that a judge would be in a better position to decide if the commission had the right to give out the license in the first place.

Riverside Casino worries about the money problems a Cedar Rapids casino might cause. They point to market studies that show it could have a big impact on their business. An outside look at the numbers says the new place could take about $34 million a year from Riverside by 2029. This could lead to people losing jobs and hurt the whole Washington County economy.

Karlyn Ollendick from Elite Casino Resorts, which runs Riverside, says losing that much money would mean letting workers go. She points out that around 200 people might end up without jobs if the Cedar Rapids casino goes ahead.

IRGC Favors Economic Gains Over Market Concerns in Linn County Casino Decision

The IRGC recognized worries about market rivalry and money redistribution but in the end decided that the economic advantages for Linn County such as new jobs and more tax money were more important than these potential problems.

Riverside Casino wants a quick court decision, but lawyers for Cedar Rapids Development Group and the IRGC do not agree that there is an urgent need to step in. They say the project’s schedule gives enough time for legal talks without having to stop building right away.

A ceremony marking the start of construction for Cedar Crossing Casino took place on February 7, and the developers aim to open on December 31, 2026. Brent Stevens, who heads Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, the main company behind the project, stays hopeful that legal challenges will not delay the planned schedule.

Since the IRGC decided not to step in, the case is now going to the courts. Riverside Casino has already sued in Washington County District Court to undo the IRGC’s approval of the Cedar Rapids casino. They claim that the commission’s decision misused its power and goes against Iowa law.

The Spirit Lake Tribe has expressed firm disapproval of Senate Bill 2376, which aims to give the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians permission to construct a casino and resort in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. The suggested $280-$300 million project has gained backing from local Grand Forks officials but has sparked worries among nearby tribal nations such as the Spirit Lake Tribe.

Spirit Lake Tribe Criticizes Casino Bill for Lack of Consultation

Tribal Chairwoman Lonna Street said lawmakers introduced the bill without talking to the Spirit Lake Tribe first. She thinks this should have been a key step before proposing the law. She stressed that talks between governments are vital to tribal independence. She added that choices affecting tribal economies need input from the nations they impact, reported the Grand Forks Herald.

The Spirit Lake Tribe worries about how a new casino might hit their wallet. Their Spirit Lake Casino and Resort brings in money they cannot do without. If another casino opens up in Grand Forks, it could put a squeeze on their cash flow. Tribal leaders are scared that if they lose gaming money, it will hurt programs and shake up the finances of tribal communities that count on these funds.

Although they disagree, Spirit Lake officials made it clear that their position does not mean they are at odds with the Turtle Mountain Band. Instead, they are reacting to a process they think did not involve all tribal stakeholders. The tribe also brought up past state choices, like expanding non-tribal gambling through electronic pull-tab machines, which they think have already hurt tribal casino earnings.

Turtle Mountain Band Pushes Casino Project, Promising Jobs and Tourism Boost

The Turtle Mountain Band claims their planned casino would boost the Grand Forks area’s economy creating jobs and drawing more tourists. Grand Forks city leaders back the project pointing to its potential to revive the local economy. However, some locals worry about gambling addiction and wonder how the city will profit from a casino that does not pay regular property taxes.

The casino would sit on a 146-acre plot of land just outside Grand Forks city limits owned by the Turtle Mountain Band. The big-scale resort plans include more than 200 hotel rooms, a Class III casino, a place for shows, a space for meetings and parties, and a gas station with a convenience store. The argument over SB 2376 goes on as the bill progresses through the lawmaking process. Spirit Lake leaders stand by their view that the state should talk to tribal nations before giving the green light to any big gambling projects.

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