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City leaders feel the Federal Indian Gaming Commission is singling out Duluth.
The longstanding legal battle with the Fond du Luth Casino continues to move forward, however city officials say the tides may be turning…
"The federal government is being arbitrary and not uniform in the way they are treating different situations," said Duluth City Attorney Gunnar Johnson.
The last contract between the Fond Du Lac Band and the City allowed the Casino to operate in Duluth in exchange for 19% of slot machine profits.
However, in 2009 the band stopped paying the city after leaders believed the contract did not comply with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
The Gaming Commission agreed and issued a notice of violation to the city in 2011, for non–compliance.
"There are many, dozens of other agreements just like ours, none of which have gotten an NOV," said Duluth Mayor Don Ness.
City officials have since challenged the ruling in court and say it's being applied inconsistently, as other revenue sharing agreements are popping up with other bands and states that are even more lucrative.
"It can't be applied to certain cases based upon political connections and not on other cases," said Mayor Ness.
For example, Duluth City Attorney Gunnar Johnson says the Mashpee tribe in Massachusetts signed an agreement in January with the federal government that gives 21.5% of gross revenue to the state, and in addition the city of Taunton receives no less than $8 million each year.
"That was approved, and yet we get zero," said Johnson.
In response, Karen Diver, Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa, says, "The details of each situation matter. It may not be a similar situation, which would make an unfair comparison. Just because the City feels it bolsters their position, doesn't necessarily make it true."
If the courts reinstate the agreement, Duluth could reclaim nearly $6 million each year, which Johnson says would be used for major city projects like street repair.
City officials say if they lose the battle, they will likely need to increase property taxes or include a street maintenance fee to fund city projects.

mFortune Mobile Casino Set to Keep Growing

mFortune mobile casino has announced it is delighted with the increase in players accessing games through mobile devices.

The casino operator, based in the UK, added that it was not surprised so many players were turning to mobile and tablet devices to enjoy their favourite casino games.

It was announced only 3 weeks ago that 75% of those using mFortune have games downloaded to mobile devices.

An increase in the number of users with smartphones, with their larger screens and clearer graphics, has inspired many to try casino games on these devices for a superior betting experience.

The general trend points towards a growing enthusiasm for casino games on mobile devices. mFortune, whose exclusive games are designed in-house, specialise in games for mobile and tablet and are in a fantastic position to supply these games.

Some of the bonuses available at the online casino are also thought to have inspired many to download casino games, as well as the fact that mobile games can be played at anytime and anyplace.
mFortune offer a variety of casino games, including roulette, poker, blackjack, bingo and slots.

Players at mFortune mobile casino , who have been solely based in the UK since their inception, are welcomed with a £5 bonus on downloading a new game, subject to terms and conditions.

ALBANY – A generous refund policy and the potential for partnerships means the number of applicants seeking New York casino licenses will likely be whittled down in the months to come.

The state has received 22 application fees of $1 million each from developers and casino operators hoping to obtain one of four casino licenses to be awarded this year, the state Gaming Facility Location Board announced Thursday.

But there are a number of variables that will likely bring the total number of applicants down significantly before the licenses are handed out.

The $1 million fee, which is reserved for investigating the applicants and their proposals, is fully refundable until the state board announces the minimum total investment required for a license, which is expected to come in early May.

Even after that, any portion of the fee that hasn't been spent by the state is refundable if an applicant withdraws before the licenses are awarded.

"I think (the fee) is a door opener, a placeholder for some people," said John Sabini, the former chairman of the state Racing and Wagering Board. "Obviously, there are some real contenders in here and some who are more interested in horse trading or jockeying."

Of the 22 application fees, 18 are from developers or casino operators who have laid out their intentions for one or more casinos or have at least signaled which region of the state they intend to pursue. The four licenses being awarded this year are reserved for the Southern Tier, the Albany area and a Catskills-centric region that stretches south to Orange County.

Of the remaining four, two were submitted by groups with generic names -- Hudson Valley Gaming LLC and Capital Region Gaming LLC -- that make it difficult to assess who is behind them. A receptionist at the office of John Donnelly, the New Jersey-based attorney associated with the two groups, said Friday he is currently on vacation and couldn't be reached.

Two other groups who submitted a fee -- Och-Ziff Real Estate and Rolling Hills Entertainment LLP -- have declined to reveal their intentions. The state has declined comment on the list of applicants, but is hosting a mandatory applicant conference on Wednesday near the Capitol.

The uncertainty surrounding some of the applicants and the fact that some developers are still looking to partner with casino operators leaves open the potential for deal-making, which could further cut down the total number seeking a license, according to Sabini.

Rochester-area commercial developer Wilmorite is one of three companies looking to build a casino in the Southern Tier region. James Wilmot, the company's chief operating officer, said the developer has yet to partner with an operator, but has been negotiating with several.

"We have financial commitments, but none from operators at this point," Wilmot said. "We already have commitments from banks for all of the debt, so we feel very confident we are capable of doing this and we are exploring our options, but we have not committed with anybody at this point."

Another Rochester-area developer, David Flaum, came to an agreement this week with casino giant Caesars Entertainment for a proposed facility near Woodbury Commons in Orange County, 50 miles north of New York City.

But Flaum is also pursuing a $350 million casino in the city of Albany, and Flaum Management wasn't specifically attached to any of those who submitted a fee.

A spokesman for Flaum confirmed a casino operator had submitted a fee for the Albany project, but declined to say which one, citing a non-disclosure agreement.

The next step for those pursuing a license is the mandatory applicant conference on Wednesday. Each group that submitted a fee is required to send a representative.

From there, a formal proposal is due June 30. The Gaming Facility Location Board has signaled it intends to announce its decisions in the fall.

JCAMPBELL1@gannett.com

Twitter.com/JonCampbellGAN

Here are the entities that submitted a $1 million casino application fee in New York:

1. Caesars Entertainment

2. Capital Region Gaming, LLC

3. Concord Kiamesha LLC and Mohegan Gaming New York LLC by DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr LLP - Catskills

4. CRCR Enterprises, LLC by The Cordish Companies

5. Empire Resorts

6. Florida Acquisition Corp by Clairvest

7. Greenetrack , Inc.

8. Grossinger Development Corporation

9. Howe Caves Development LLC

10. Hudson Valley Gaming, LLC

11. Nevele-R, LLC by Nevele Resort, Casino & Spa

12. NYS Funding, LLC by Och-Ziff Real Estate

13. OCCR Enterprises, LLC by The Cordish Companies

14. PNK Development 33, LLC by Pinnacle Entertainment

15. Rolling Hills Entertainment LLC by Baker Botts LLP

16. RW Orange County LLC by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (Genting Group)

17. Saratoga Harness Racing Inc. (I)

18. Saratoga Harness Racing Inc. (II)

19. Tioga Downs Racetrack LLC

20. Trading Cove New York, LLC

21. Traditions Resort & Casino

22. Wilmot Casino & Resort by Wilmorite, Inc.

Source: New York State Gaming Facility Location Board

Shocking footage of Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice was released by gossip site TMZ last week. The video shows Rice dragging his then fiancé Janay Palmer out of a casino elevator. Police arrived and arrested both Rice and Palmer, charging Rice with aggravated assault after allegedly brutally beating Palmer and knocking her out.
Ray Rice pled not guilty last week to charges of third degree aggravated assault following his February arrest in a New Jersey casino. Rice has applied for pretrial intervention in lieu of a formal trial (via ESPN):
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"Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice pleaded not guilty to a third-degree charge of aggravated assault and applied for a pretrial intervention program Thursday morning in Mays Landing, N.J. Just because Ray Rice will not face jail time doesn't mean he is in the clear as he still faces NFL punishment, Jamison Hensley writes. The pretrial intervention program is a diversion program that permits certain defendants (particularly first-time ones) to avoid formal prosecution. If Rice is not approved for the program, his next court date is scheduled for May 29. Prosecutors have offered a plea agreement in which Rice would receive probation with no jail time and undergo anger-management counseling... Rice was arrested and charged with simple assault-domestic violence on Feb. 15 after a physical altercation with his then-fiancée, Janay Palmer, at the Revel Casino and Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Palmer also was charged in the incident."
ESPN goes on to say that Rice and Palmer were married the following day and that she appeared behind him in court.
There was also speculation as to what the NFL's response would be. Even if he is found innocent Rice could face fines and/or suspension.
What do you think? Does the security footage prove anything? Should she stand by her man or get the heck out of that situation?
Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Twin Pine Casino & Hotel, owned and operated by the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo indians of California, is ideally situated along a particularly scenic portion of Highway 29 in Middletown, California. It offers wine tourists the fun and luxury of a premier casino, hotel, and restaurant—nearly halfway between the wineries of Calistoga in northern Napa Valley and the wineries of Lake County—setting the stage for plenty of wonderful wine touring opportunities. Said to be the only wine-themed casino destination in the United States, Twin Pine Casino & Hotel attracts discerning guests who like to blend their love of casino life and wine together.

When it comes to gaming, Twin Pine has 25,000 square feet of space dedicated to the latest and greatest slot machines and table games, including: blackjack, pai gow, three-card poker, and live poker. Texas Hold 'Em tournaments are held Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, and a wide range of other tournaments and giveaways round out the casino's calendar.

Located next to the casino floor is the Grapevine Bar & Lounge with offerings of delicious bar bites, regional wines, and a large selection of beer and spirits. Guests enjoy free live weekend entertainment for their dancing pleasure and watch their favorite sporting events on five high-definition television sets.

With the chef's newly designed menus and daily specials, the wine-themed Manzanita Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and wine paired menu selections nightly. Marketplace Express provides delicious mochas, lattes, and smoothies with an array of freshly made salads, sandwiches, and burgers, perfect to "grab and go."

In an effort to showcase the wines of the region, Twin Pine selects a different winery each month as its Winery of the Month. The program includes a "meet and greet" wine tasting and a prix fixe wine pairing dinner prepared by the Manzanita's chefs. For parties, there's the casino's Harvest Room and a full service banquet area. For weddings and big entertainment acts, there's the expansive new event Center.

When booking a guest room at Twin Pine, the only standard is deluxe. Both king and double queen deluxe rooms provide 550 square feet of living space with sumptuous decor featuring 50-inch plasma televisions, mini-refrigerators, in-room safes, four-cup coffee makers, irons with ironing boards, and hair dryers. Luxury suites are double the size featuring 1,100 square feet with the same amenities and more. Luxury suites include two televisions, mini-refrigerators, coffee makers, dining area, living area with wet bar, Jacuzzi tub, glass shower, and queen-size sleeper sofa. All guest rooms are non-smoking.

Twin Pine Casino & Hotel embraces wine country in every possible way. Beyond fun gaming, inspiring wine lists, tempting culinary offerings, and well-appointed accommodations, there's a fun place to shop. Off the Vine Gift Shop offers hard- to-find gift items, from wine accessories to Native American jewelry, plus a tasting bar pouring fine wines from all regions for only five dollars. As the nation's only wine-themed casino destination, Twin Pine Casino & Hotel is dedicated to enhancing the knowledge and love of local wines in all of its guests by providing an ideal location and environment for gaming, wine tasting, and appreciating the good things in life.

GREAT FALLS -- The Northern Winz Casino near Box Elder has announced its Summer Concert Series, with plans to bring some big names to Montana.

Here is the line-up:

May 23: Armond Duck Chief - Native American country music singer and cowboy from Canada. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

June 27: Sammy Kershaw - country singer best known for hits "Vidalia," "Cadillac Style," and "Queen of My Double-wide Trailer." This is an outdoor concert. General admission tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door; VIP seating available is available for $40.

August 1: Marty Stuart & The Fabulous Superlatives - country/honky-tonk star with a string of hits including "Burn Me Down," "Little Things," and "Kiss Me, I'm Gone." This is an outdoor concert. General admission tickets are $40; VIP seating is available for $55. Also appearing will be John Conlee.

September 6: Cheech & Chong: Comedians, actors, and counter-culture icons Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong bring their "Up In Smoke" tour to Montana. Tickets are $50; VIP seating available for $70.

The Northern Winz Casino is between Box Elder and Havre along Highway 87.