Gaming Briefs From Sports
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Staff scouts Nebraska sites While casino authorization in Nebraska
isn't a done deal yet, at least one Las Vegas interest is looking
ahead to the state's first gambling establishment.
(PRWEB) April 23, 2004 -- While casino authorization in Nebraska
isn't a done deal yet, at least one Las Vegas interest is looking
ahead to the state's first gambling establishment.
Sheldon Adelson's Venetian hotel-casino company is researching areas
in Nebraska, said spokesman Andy Abboud.
Abboud said Omaha is the most logical location, but interest is also
coming from Grand Island.
On Wednesday the Legislature approved a proposed constitutional amendment
that would permit two casinos in the state. The proposal must be approved
by voters in November.
If the ballot issue is passed by voters, the Legislature will decide
where the casinos will be built.
Coast Casinos Inc. of Las Vegas has also been promoting casino gambling
in Nebraska.
Firm invests in LV company's stock
New York investment firm D.E. Shaw Laminar Portfolios LLC has purchased
about 350,000 shares in Riviera Holdings Corp., the parent company
of the Riviera hotel-casino in Las Vegas.
New York City-based D.E. Shaw now owns a roughly 9.7 percent stake
in Riviera. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission
Thursday, D.E. Shaw said it focused on "distressed-securities
related investment strategies" and is affiliated with D.E. Shaw
& Co Inc., whose president and sole shareholder is David Shaw.
Representatives with D.E. Shaw could not immediately be reached for
comment today.
In a separate SEC filing this month, Donald Trump announced the sale
of 358,000 shares in Riviera. The sale netted Trump about $900,000
in profit on the $2.7 million he invested in Riviera shares in 2002
and 2003.
The purchase and sale of Riviera securities by the separate firms
were entered on the same date. But representatives of D.E. Shaw and
Trump's company Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts Inc., which had an
option to buy the shares from Trump, could not immediately be reached
for comment on whether D.E. Shaw bought the shares directly from Trump.
With the sale, Trump Hotels will keep its standing as a registered
gaming company in Nevada and Trump will remain licensed as one of
the company's officers and directors.
Police supervisor investigated
The state's public safety commissioner is looking into allegations
that a state police major has been playing the slot machines at the
Foxwoods Resort Casino in violation of his own orders.
Maj. Frank Griffin, who oversees the state police casino unit, was
one ssion Thursday, D.E. Shaw said it focused on "distressed-securities
related investment strategies" and is affiliated with D.E. Shaw
& Co Inc., whose president and sole shareholder is David Shaw.
Representatives with D.E. Shaw could not immediately be reached for
comment today.
In a separate SEC filing this month, Donald Trump announced the sale
of 358,000 shares in Riviera. The sale netted Trump about $900,000
in profit on the $2.7 million he invested in Riviera shares in 2002
and 2003.
The purchase and sale of Riviera securities by the separate firms
were entered on the same date. But representatives of D.E. Shaw and
Trump's company Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts Inc., which had an
option to buy the shares from Trump, could not immediately be reached
for comment on whether D.E. Shaw bought the shares directly from Trump.
With the sale, Trump Hotels will keep its standing as a registered
gaming company in Nevada and Trump will remain licensed as one of
the company's officers and directors.
Police supervisor investigated
The state's public safety commissioner is looking into allegations
that a state police major has been playing the slot machines at the
Foxwoods Resort Casino in violation of his own orders.
Maj. Frank Griffin, who oversees the state police casino unit, was
one of two supervisors who signed a special order advising members
of the casino unit that they are "prohibited from gambling at
any Connecticut casino at any time."
Lawyers who represent state troopers in the unit who are contesting
claims of unfair treatment by the department told The Hartford Courant
that Griffin is a regular at Foxwoods, where he often plays the slot
machines.
Other troopers told the newspaper that it is widely known that Griffin
gambles at Foxwoods.
Public Safety Commissioner Arthur Spada began an inquiry Thursday
to "review the facts and circumstances that have been brought
to his attention," Trooper Roger Beaupre, a state police spokesman,
said.
Griffin commands the casino unit, the statewide narcotics task force
and the statewide organized crime unit.