The new platform joins Caesars Palace Online Casino in Michigan and Caesars Sportsbook and Casino for online casino customers.

The Horseshoe brand has been around since 1951 and debuted online through Caesars’ Michigan operation.

The launch was made possible through Caesars’ partnership with Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Players 21 and older in the Great Lakes State can now download the Horseshoe Online Casino app on iOS and Android or visit horseshoeonlinecasino.com to experience a dynamic online casino with a multi-lobby navigation layout modeled after a real-life casino floor layout with curated lobbies dedicated to core casino game mechanics, including high-limit slots, private live dealer tables, linked progressive jackpots, and variations of poker and roulette.

In addition to Michigan, online wagering is legal in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia and Rhode Island with online poker play allowed in Delaware, New Jersey and Nevada.

A discount typically reserved for senior citizens at restaurants is being tried by an airline that serves Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport.

Denver-based Frontier Airlines recently announced a 55FOR55 discount code for a 55 percent discount for customers 55 and older who purchase tickets on flyfrontier.com to select destinations through February.

There are blackout dates and there’s a list of routes where Frontier won’t offer the discount, including Las Vegas to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and flights to Las Vegas from Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International, Dallas-Fort Worth International, and New York’s John F. Kennedy International.

Deutsche Bank dumps Bally’s

Deutsche Bank announced last week that it no longer will monitor Bally’s Corp. in its reports to investors.

The owner of the Tropicana site on the Strip is in the process of going private through a merger agreement with Standard General L.P. whose managing partner, Soo Kim, is the chairman of the Bally’s board of directors.

Resorts World flags racing fans

Resorts World announced “Race Week” activations for the Formula One Grand Prix week that include a go-karting experience and car rally. The activations, held between Nov. 21-24, include an electric go-kart riding track and a Society Sevn Car Rally and Show.

N.J. judge tosses Atlantic City casino hotel price-fixing scheme lawsuit

A federal court judge in New Jersey tossed out a proposed class-action lawsuit against several Atlantic City casino operators which alleged a price-fixing conspiracy intended to gouge customers. Judge Karen M. Williams of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled.

The lawsuit accused Caesars Entertainment, MGM Resorts International and Hard Rock International, as well as a Florida-based software developer, of inflating hotel room prices for years using a computer algorithm.

The case in N.J. is comparable to a lawsuit in Nevada accusing Las Vegas casino-hotel operators of the same scheme.

Wynn Resorts secures UAE gaming license, company says

Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts says it has been awarded the first casino gaming license in the United Arab Emirates. The company said it was developing a luxury resort at Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah.

According to Wynn Resorts, the project, which is already under construction, is a joint venture between affiliates of Wynn, Marjan and RAK Hospitality Holding.

Proponents argue the measure is essential for maintaining safety in these areas, but it has sparked criticism from civil rights groups. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Nevada voiced strong opposition, claiming the expansion may be unconstitutional and could lead to further legal complications. The ACLU’s concerns come as a similar Clark County ordinance is currently being challenged in court.

The Expansion and Legal Controversy

The order-out corridor allows courts to ban individuals convicted of certain offenses, such as trespassing and battery, from designated tourist zones. By extending the boundaries, Las Vegas aims to curb criminal activity without resorting to lengthy jail sentences. City Attorney Jeff Dorocak, cited by Las Vegas Sun, explained that the ordinance is intended for repeat offenders, who often cycle through the criminal justice system for minor offenses.

The ordinance, first introduced in 2023, has already shown measurable results. Data presented to the city council in July highlighted a 10% reduction in crime victims in the Fremont Street corridor. Metro Police Captain Adam Seely pointed to a significant decrease in incidents near the Strat, attributing the improvement to the order-out policy. “We’re talking about fewer victims of crime,” Seely noted. “I do believe it is a result of the partnership and the policing that we’ve been doing in both areas.”

However, the ACLU remains critical of the program’s expansion. The organization argues that broadening the scope of the order-out corridor before the legal challenges against Clark County’s similar ordinance are resolved is premature. Tia Smith, an attorney with the ACLU of Nevada, cautioned the city council against moving forward without judicial clarity. “Expanding the order-out corridor boundaries before the constitutionality of the ordinance is decided would be premature and could lead to further legal complications,” Smith said during the meeting.

Concerns Over Constitutional Rights and Profiling

The ACLU has raised concerns about the potential for the order-out policy to infringe on First Amendment rights. The civil liberties group points to the case of Ackeem Ramsay, a man on supervised probation who was banned from the resort corridor in Clark County, as an example of how such policies could violate constitutional protections. Ramsay’s case, which the ACLU is supporting, argues that barring individuals from public spaces due to misdemeanor offenses limits their freedom of movement and expression.

The ACLU also criticized the ordinance’s “dangerously vague” language, particularly its case-by-case approach to granting exemptions. Exemptions are theoretically available for those who live or work in restricted areas, as well as for individuals seeking medical or legal services, accessing social programs, or attending religious services. However, the ACLU argues that the lack of clear guidelines could lead to inconsistent enforcement and potential profiling of marginalized groups, such as the homeless, street performers, and protestors.

Results and Future Implications

Despite these concerns, the city council has remained supportive of the expanded order-out corridor. From November 2023 to June 2024, the city issued 246 order-out directives, with trespassing, battery, and disturbing the peace among the most common offenses. Of those offenders, 81 were jailed for violating the order, with more than half identified as experiencing homelessness.

The expansion is intended to build on the success of the initial corridor, which led to a decrease in criminal activity in key areas like Fremont Street. However, the debate over its legality continues, as civil rights advocates argue that the policy disproportionately targets vulnerable populations and could face further legal scrutiny.

The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) issued the policy report, titled Transnational Organized Crime and the Convergence of Cyber-Enabled Fraud, Underground Banking, and Technological Innovation: A Shifting Threat Landscape. This comprehensive document underlines how the landscape of organized crime in Southeast Asia is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by technological advances and sophisticated criminal syndicates.

Evolving threats in Southeast Asia:

The report highlights that Southeast Asia is witnessing a surge in the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, as well as an increase in cyber-enabled fraud. “The transnational organised crime threat landscape in Southeast Asia is evolving faster than in any previous point in history,” the UNODC notes. The agency emphasized that the rise in fraud is largely orchestrated by highly organized criminal networks, which also facilitate money laundering, human trafficking, and other illegal activities.

Despite efforts by law enforcement, cyber fraud continues to grow. In 2023 alone, financial losses from scams targeting victims in East and Southeast Asia are estimated to be between $18 billion and $37 billion, according to the U.N. report. The region’s booming illicit economy has resulted in more professionalized and innovative methods of money laundering, with criminal groups emerging as global leaders in these activities.

A key factor in the rise of illicit activities is the use of cryptocurrency and virtual asset service providers (VASPs). These platforms, particularly those operating without sufficient oversight, have allowed transnational criminal groups to funnel large amounts of illegal proceeds into the financial system with little accountability. The report notes that these platforms are increasingly being used by major criminal syndicates to conduct their operations.

In an official statement, Masood Karimipour, UNODC Regional Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific, said that organized crime groups are “converging and exploiting vulnerabilities” in the region. “Leveraging technological advances, criminal groups are producing larger scale and harder to detect fraud, money laundering, underground banking, and online scams,” he explained in the UNODC’s press release. Karimipour also noted that Southeast Asia has become a testing ground for criminal networks to expand their reach and develop new criminal enterprises.

Rising use of AI in crime:

In addition to the proliferation of cryptocurrency-related crimes, the UNODC report also highlights the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological innovations by criminal organizations. These groups are integrating AI-driven tools like malware, deepfakes, and other advanced technologies into their schemes, which has significantly increased the scale and complexity of cyber fraud.

To address the growing threat posed by transnational criminal groups, the UNODC report calls for a more concerted effort from governments in Southeast Asia and around the world. The agency emphasizes the importance of recognizing the severity and global reach of this threat and taking steps to strengthen legislation, enforcement, and regulatory frameworks.

Karimipour stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “It is more critical than ever for governments to recognize the severity, scale, and reach of this truly global threat, and to prioritize solutions that address the rapidly evolving criminal ecosystem in the region.”

Geno Iafrate, president of Hard Rock Casino Rockford, expressed satisfaction with the results, noting that the team had anticipated a strong performance. “We had no expectations of jumping over Rivers — that’s a pretty tall order,” Iafrate admitted, according to Chicago Tribune. “But to be honest, we fully expected to move into second place. Our first full month of operations was very successful.”

A Major Upgrade for Rockford

Hard Rock’s permanent facility officially opened its doors on August 29, following nearly three years of operating out of a temporary location. The $300 million entertainment complex, located on the former site of the Clock Tower Resort near I-90, offers guests a vastly expanded experience with nearly 1,300 slot machines, 50 live table games, a dedicated sportsbook, and a 1,600-seat concert venue. The facility also doubled the number of gaming positions available, and the addition of new restaurants and entertainment options has significantly boosted visitor numbers, drawing guests not only from Rockford but also from the wider Chicago area and neighboring Wisconsin.

In comparison to its temporary operations, Hard Rock’s new location nearly tripled its revenue and visitor count. In August, before the grand opening of the permanent facility, the casino generated $5.7 million in adjusted gross receipts and welcomed 57,000 visitors, placing it in the middle of the pack among Illinois’ 15 casinos. The dramatic leap in September showcases the strong appeal of the new venue.

Additionally, Iafrate emphasized the practical improvements that the permanent location offers, including the expansion of parking capacity from 300 spaces at the temporary location to 2,100 spaces. “Parking is a big deal,” Iafrate noted, highlighting how such logistical upgrades have contributed to the surge in visitor numbers.

A Record-Setting September

Hard Rock Rockford’s September performance not only positioned it as a major player in the Illinois casino market but also set a new monthly revenue record for the casino. Slot machines alone brought in $12.7 million, while table games generated an additional $1 million in revenue.

The casino’s success also resulted in substantial tax contributions, with $843,040 in taxes generated for local governments. Rockford officials have expressed optimism about the economic impact of the casino, with plans to invest the increased revenue — estimated to reach $7 million annually — in key community initiatives, including expanded scholarships through the Rockford Promise program, upgrades to public safety infrastructure, and economic development projects.

Hard Rock vs. Bally’s: A Growing Rivalry

The Hard Rock Casino’s meteoric rise in Illinois puts it just ahead of another major competitor, Bally’s temporary casino in Chicago. Bally’s, which opened in September 2023 at the Medinah Temple, earned $10.3 million in adjusted gross receipts with nearly 121,000 visitors during the same month.

The top spot remains in possession of Rivers Casino, which generated $41.5 million in adjusted gross receipts and attracted more than 247,000 visitors in September. Although Bally’s remains in third place, its permanent $1.7 billion casino complex, currently under construction in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, is expected to significantly boost its standing once completed in 2026. The new Bally’s facility will include 4,000 gaming positions, a 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, and multiple dining options, positioning it as the largest casino in Illinois.

In addition to Bally’s significant contribution, two other major backers—Eldon-based Osage Landing Development Co. and RIS Inc.—each donated $500,000, bringing the total fundraising haul for the campaign to over $2 million in just one weekend. This influx of cash is expected to fuel the final stages of the campaign as proponents make their case to Missouri voters.

Constitutional amendment for a new casino:

For the proposed casino to become a reality, Missouri’s constitution needs to be amended. Currently, the state allows only 13 casinos, all of which are located along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. If Amendment 5 passes, it would open the door for a new casino site along the Osage River, adding another attraction to the Lake of the Ozarks, a renowned recreation and boating destination in central Missouri.

The proposed casino project is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the region, including the creation of 500 construction jobs and more than 700 permanent positions once the casino is operational. Additionally, tax revenue generated from gambling at the casino would be allocated to support early childhood literacy programs in Missouri’s public schools.

However, if approved, the new casino could face competition from another project already in the works. The Osage Nation is currently awaiting state and federal approval to build a tribal casino in the same area, which has long been a popular vacation spot for residents across the Midwest.

The debate over sports betting in Missouri:

While the push for a new casino is underway, another major gambling issue is unfolding in Missouri. The campaign for Amendment 2, which aims to legalize sports betting in the state, received a massive $5 million injection of funds from Betfair Interactive, the parent company of FanDuel. This marks the fourth such donation of $5 million to the pro-Amendment 2 campaign, Winning for Missouri Education, since mid-September.

As St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports, FanDuel and DraftKings have been two of the leading financial backers of the pro-sports betting initiative, collectively contributing more than $25 million to the cause in recent months. Their support is aimed at legalizing sports betting in Missouri, which advocates argue could generate much-needed revenue for the state.

Despite this momentum, opposition remains strong. Caesars Entertainment, which operates three casinos in Missouri—Isle of Capri Boonville, Harrah’s Kansas City, and Horseshoe St. Louis—has contributed over $14 million to the Missourians Against the Deceptive Online Gambling Amendment campaign. Caesars has been vocal in its criticism of the proposed sports betting legislation, labeling it a “flawed approach to expanding sports betting” and arguing that it offers no clear guarantee of additional revenue for the state.

According to Caesars, Amendment 2 “masquerades as an education funding solution while making no guarantee that the state will see a single penny in revenue.” The company has raised concerns about a provision in the amendment that would allow sports betting operators to deduct up to 25% of promotional subsidies from their taxable income, potentially reducing the amount of tax revenue the state would collect.

Proponents of Amendment 2 argue that legalizing sports betting would bring in significant revenue, especially since Missouri is currently losing potential tax dollars to neighboring states that have already legalized the activity. While initial projections estimate that sports betting could generate anywhere from $0 to $28.9 million per year in tax revenue, the campaign believes that bringing those dollars back to Missouri will benefit the state’s education system.