Missouri Alliance Members Join National Awareness Effort
For the 13th year, the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling and its members are joining the National Problem Gambling Awareness Month campaign in March. The national campaign, recognized by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), aims to increase the public’s awareness of problem gambling while encouraging anyone who knows someone that might be suffering from gambling addiction to “Have the Conversation.”
“Because of the 1-888-BETSOFF program, Missouri residents and their loved ones have access to free help and treatment within their home state. All they have to do is take the step to contact the service,” said Jennifer Wilbers, chair of the Missouri Alliance and assistant deputy director of administration for the Missouri Gaming Commission.
According to the Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) conducted by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, less than 1 percent of Missourians who gamble are considered problem gamblers. These individuals, their loved ones, or anyone else who think they might have a gambling problem are encouraged to contact 1-888-BETSOFF (1-888-238-7633) to access free resources and help from licensed professionals.
“The Bets Off service and this awareness month are testaments to the Missouri Alliance and how the whole can be better than its parts,” said Wilbers. “Between our member organizations, we fund, publicize and oversee treatment options for the Bets Off program, which is used more than 1,600 times annually by those who need the service.”
To support the national campaign, the Missouri Alliance has arranged for a series of TV and radio public service announcements (PSAs) to air across the state throughout the month of March. Those TV PSAs can be found here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DTFDLDjals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfCMSb2EVxU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17D5OTx0Gx4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgLjgZAmTFw
To access free help from licensed professionals, please call 1-888-BETSOFF (1-888-238-7633), email freehelp@888betsoff.org or visit 888betsoff.org. The Missouri Gaming Commission and the Missouri Lottery both offer their own voluntary, self-exclusion lists for problem gamblers. More information about problem gambling concerns and responsible gaming can be found at 888betsoff.org, ncpgambling.org and gamblersanonymous.org.
About the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling (888betsoff.org)
The Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling, which was created in 1997, is a partnership between the Missouri Lottery, Missouri Department of Mental Health’s Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Missouri Gaming Association, Missouri Gaming Commission, Port Authority of Kansas City and a recovery community representative. The purpose of the Alliance is to educate Missourians on the potential characteristics and dangers of problem and compulsive gambling, to refer compulsive gamblers and their family and friends to free treatment through a toll-free help line, to prevent underage play and to promote responsible gaming.
Shareholders of Eldorado Resorts and Isle of Capri Casinos Vote to Approve Eldorado's Acquisition of Isle of Capri
RENO, Nev. and ST. LOUIS, Mo., Jan. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Eldorado Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ: ERI) ("Eldorado") and Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. (NASDAQ: ISLE) ("Isle of Capri" or "Isle") announced that, at separate Special Meetings of Shareholders today, their respective shareholders approved certain actions in connection with Eldorado's acquisition of Isle of Capri. The transaction is expected to be consummated in the second quarter of 2017 and remains subject to the approval of applicable gaming authorities, and other customary closing conditions.
Holders of over 99% of the Eldorado shares that voted on the issuance of shares of Eldorado common stock in the merger cast their votes in favor, representing approximately 85% of Eldorado's outstanding common stock as of the record date for the shareholder meeting. Holders of over 99% of the Isle shares that voted on the merger cast their votes in favor, representing approximately 84% of Isle's outstanding common stock as of the record date for the shareholder meeting. Both Eldorado and Isle will file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the respective final results of the votes. Eldorado and Isle shareholders also approved each of the other matters on their respective meeting agendas including the Isle shareholders' approval, on an advisory basis, of certain payments to Isle's executive officers in connection with the merger.
Gary Carano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eldorado, commented, "The acquisition of Isle of Capri represents a significant milestone in our long-term strategy to expand our regional gaming platform through accretive acquisitions. Upon completion of the transaction we will substantially increase the scale of our gaming operations and further diversify the geographic reach of Eldorado. After giving effect to the planned dispositions of Isle of Capri Casino Hotel Lake Charles and Lady Luck Casino Marquette, the combined operations of Eldorado and Isle will feature approximately 20,290 slot machines and VLTs, more than 550 table games and over 6,550 hotel rooms in ten states. The transaction is expected to be immediately accretive to our free cash flow and diluted earnings per share, inclusive of identified cost synergies of approximately $35 million expected in the first year following the completion of the transaction.
"Since entering into the agreement, we have made progress towards the completion of the transaction including dialogue and meetings with gaming regulators and the development of detailed plans to optimize the operations of the combined company's properties. We expect that our planned initiatives to implement our margin enhancement strategies across the Isle of Capri property portfolio while elevating the customer experience by marrying best practices from both companies will position Eldorado for near and long-term success."
Eric Hausler, Chief Executive Officer of Isle of Capri, added, "Today's vote is an important step towards providing Isle of Capri shareholders with substantial and immediate value, as well as the opportunity to participate in the upside potential of the combined company through the transaction with Eldorado. I believe Eldorado has a solid plan in place to quickly integrate the two companies and I look forward to working closely with the Eldorado team to bring our companies together to realize the benefits of this compelling combination and ensure a smooth transition."
The Missouri Gaming Commission relicensed two Missouri riverboat gaming casinos Wednesday. Read the coverage from St.Jo and Quincy.
Interesting story in Forbes about Maryland's fantasy sports contest rules. Read the story by Marc Edelman here.
Congratulations to Patti Smith of the Missouri Gaming Commission. She is the grand prize winner of the Christmas decorating contest. Jennifer Bruns, tax audit manager, proposed a decorating contest within the halls of the MGC with all dollar entries and .50 cent votes going toward the Foodbank for Central and Northeast Missouri (Buddy Pack Program). This contest, which was embraced by so many MGC employees, raised over 300 dollars. Pictured above from left: Patti Smith, Executive Director Bill Seibert, and Jennifer Bruns.
Here is the scenario: you approach a slot machine, and you find credit or a ticket in the EGD, or a ticket with value anywhere else on the gaming floor. What do you do?
If there is money left on a machine when you first walk up to it, you should notify the casino staff. If you have already started playing on the machine, then you realize there are more credits than you have won or bought-in for, stop playing immediately and notify the casino staff. The staff may be able to review their records to determine whose money it is and return it to them. If a person intentionally takes the property of another and deprives the rightful owner of its use, that person may be arrested for stealing. This also applies to tickets and cash left in the machines or found on the casino floor. If you know who it belongs to, please give it back. If you don’t know who it belongs to, notify the casino security staff so they can try to identify the rightful owner. Try to follow the Golden rule- Someday the found money may be yours.
Ed Husar of the Quincy Herald Whig writes about the change of control for Mark Twain casino in LaGrange. Read the story here.
A possible casino move and building another casino have become topics in St.Jo. Read the story from the St.Jo News Press Now.
After months of speculation the industry giants have announced their plans to merge. Read the story from MSN.
