
Workers picketing the Trump Taj Mahal have until 5 pm ET on Monday, July 18 to accept a new healthcare offer, or it’s off the table once and for all. That’s the word this week through the Atlantic City casino’s owner, Icahn Enterprises.
Striking union workers outside the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City also demonstrated outside Donald Trump’s nyc offices this week.
The strike during the Taj was ongoing since Friday, July 1, when around 1,000 bar staff, chefs, porters, and cleaners, organized by Local 54 of the Unite-HERE union, walked off the premises in protest at the loss of medical and pension benefits.
Action continued on the normally profitable Independence Day parties and indicates no signs of abating. Organizers have actually said the plan offered up by the casino’s management represents ‘a shadow’ of the healthcare great things about other Atlantic City casino workers, and that industrial action shall continue for ‘as long as it takes.’
Rightsized Benefits
Carl Icahn rescued the Taj from chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2014. The billionaire corporate raider and activist investor agreed to take on the majority of its $286 million debt as part for the purchase agreement.
He also promised to turn that debt into equity and to invest within the property, but just if Atlantic City therefore the courts granted him the temporary cessation of worker pension and health care benefits.
The courts complied, but now, with a few signs of recovery into the Atlantic City casino sector, union workers want their benefits to reflect the uptick. Industry analysts have called the seaside resort’s range gaming houses ‘rightsized,’ following the closures of several properties throughout the final years that are few. Local 54 says its workers want their advantages to too be rightsized.
Demos Outside Trump’s New York Offices
This demonstrators headed for the Big Apple, and chants were heard outside of Donald Trump’s Manhattan offices week. Icahn has announced their support for A president that is potential trump who once said that Icahn would create a great Secretary of the Treasury in their theoretical cabinet. Icahn has not expressed any interest in such a position, however.
While the Trump Taj Mahal nevertheless bears the title of the presumptive GOP presidential nominee, he no more has any financial desire for the property. Trump purchased in 1988, unfinished, for $230 million, but by the time it turned out completed in 1990, construction costs had escalated to $1 billion.
He declared the property bankrupt later that year, then again in 2004, and the union still blames him for Atlantic City’s woes.
‘Both Trump and Icahn took plenty of cash using this property, an incredible number of bucks that could have been accustomed rebuild it and provide wages that are good benefits for employees,’ union spokesman Ben Begleiter told the Associated Press. ‘Now Trump thinks Icahn should be operating America’s economy. If that takes place, then all of America’s workers are in trouble.’
Aussie Pols Call for $1 Pokie Limits and Ban on TV Gambling adverts
Senator Nick Xenophon said that Australia’s parents are concerned by their children speaking about odds in place of the game, a condition he puts down to exorbitant gambling marketing during sports broadcasts. (Image: interstaff.com)
Australia’s pokie devices should be limited to $1 per spin, while gambling advertising during recreations broadcasts that could be viewed by minors needs to be banned, say two influential politicians that are australian.
Longtime gambling opponents Senator Nick Xenophon and Tasmanian independent MP Andrew Wilkie are demanding tighter regulation of Australia’s gambling industry, in a country where there clearly was increasing cause for concern about the gambling habits of its citizens.
The proliferation of pokies, or slots, because they are known somewhere else, is a hugely controversial issue in Australia, along with valid reason.
You can find five time more slot machines into the country, per capita, than there are in america, and meanwhile, recent studies demonstrate that Australians spend more per head on gambling than just about any country worldwide; twice around in the US and three times up to in britain.
The growth of gambling has outpaced the growth of the Australian economy by 100 percent, while Australians plow around AU$11 billion into pokie machines annually in the last 12 months.
Turnbull U-turn
While Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s government has recently moved to ban in-play online betting in the united kingdom, more comprehensive reforms are opposed by the influential Clubs Australia, an industry body representing 6,500 licensed social clubs across Australia, all of which count on revenue from gambling.
Turnbull, who had formerly supported reform, now claims it is up to your national governments of the Australia’s states and territories to decide their very own gambling guidelines. But Xenophon and Wilkie think he could be fudging the problem.
‘ We will be planning a whole series of measures, both in the parliament and beyond your parliament, to deal with the matter of gambling reform and, in particular, one issue that has resonated throughout https://myfreepokies.com/bondibet-casino/ the community and that is regarding the problem of sports betting advertising,’ said Xenophon in parliament this week.
‘ So many parents have approached all of us to say they truly are appalled their kids are speaking about … the chances of a game instead of the game it self.’
Untrustworthy Regulators
Wilkie included that the states had thus far proved themselves to be ‘untrustworthy’ regulators, which designed that there had been a strong case for federal intervention.
‘The case is compelling, plus it is extremely, extremely sad that up until now, parliamentarians never have did actually care enough about the hurt caused by problem gambling; that parliamentarians happen happy to be entirely away from step with the majority that is vast of members for the community who desire strong reform,’ said Wilkie.
Larry Flynt Scolds Gardena City Council Over Casino Signage and Last-Minute Tax Provision
The Gardena City Council isn’t laughing at Larry Flynt’s logo for his planned Lucky Lady Casino at the former home regarding the Normandie card club in California. (Image: Rex Features/Associated Press)
Larry Flynt has more money than 99.9 percent of US citizens, but in his home state of Ca the purveyor of things risqué says he feels like a citizen that is second-class.
Appearing before the Gardena City Council on July 12, the ‘Hustler’ publisher lashed out at the neighborhood board for voting against his fortunate Lady Casino sign and deciding to amend tax breaks formerly afforded to the planned location.
The Normandie Casino was shutting after 75 years following the admission of guilt by the card club’s owners that money was laundered through the casino as Casino.org reported in May. Flynt bought the house earlier this month for a price that is undisclosed.
He’s planning to renovate the Normandie and rebrand it since the Lucky Lady. Along with his Hustler Casino, Flynt now owns two card clubs in the city located south of l . a ..
The council initially said it would provide substantial income tax breaks to Flynt. However, City Manager Mitch Lansdell included a provision at the last minute that now states Flynt must pay $800,000 a month before any incentives apply. The City Council authorized the change by a vote of 3-1.
‘ In the 16 years we’ve been down there, I’ve paid the populous city $80.5 million in tax income,’ Flynt sternly told the panel. ‘ We saved the town from bankruptcy. We’ve been paying the populous city payroll . . . and I do not think anyone has done as much for the city and received so little.’
Not So Lucky
Aside from Flynt’s dissatisfaction and anger on the council’s tax structure changes, he’s also at war with the town over his Lucky Lady branding. Flynt’s group offered a logo having a woman in a swimsuit that is low-cut her legs draped across the ‘Y’ in Lucky.
Council member Tasha Cerda took offense.
‘I still believe this is offensive to females,’ Cerda stated. ‘For anybody who is maybe not going into the casino, to see this image of a woman shaking her legs, scantily dressed, I just don’t believe is good.’
But Flynt countered by saying the legislation is on his part. Flynt referenced a landmark choice by former US Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia that warned governments to not try to legislate ‘taste.’
Ultimatum Delivered
Flynt says their plans to invest $60 million into the Normandie over the next four years are now being put on hold. The card club is a previous rival regarding the Hustler Casino as the two properties are lower than a mile apart.
Flynt was ready to go forward with upgrading the Normandie following the council said he would receive tax incentives when his profits exceed $2 million per month.
Now guaranteed to be on the hook for $800,000 a month, flynt is walking away.
‘A proposition that only a fool could sign, and we’m no fool,’ Flynt said. ‘I’ve never heard in my own 50 years of business, I’ve never, ever been aware of a deal like that.’
It’s confusing if Lansdell and the Gardena City Council will need action to make renovating the Normandie more appealing to Flynt. The next scheduled conference is July 26.
Interpol Arrests Over 4,000 Individuals associated with Illegal Betting During Euro 2016 Football Tournament
Interpol is continuing its crusade against illegal recreations betting, but the agency is being criticized by some for seeking the small guys instead regarding the multibillion-dollar operators. (Image: European Pressphoto Agency)
Interpol arrested more than 4,100 individuals and seized some $13.6 million from illegal sports gambling rings during this summer’s 2016 UEFA championship that is europeanEuro 2016).
The international law enforcement agency revealed on July 18 so it carried out two operations during the football tournament that is month-long.
Dubbed ‘Operation SOGA VI’ and ‘Aces,’ the 2 stings involved over 4,000 raids by police. Prohibited gambling operators were targeted in China, France, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Southern Korea, and the Philippines.
Interpol believes those apprehended handled $649 million in bets.
‘Illegal gambling generates massive profits for planned crime networks which can be connected to corruption, human trafficking and money laundering,’ stated Jim Anderson, associate manager of Interpol’s Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes product. ‘The successes of Operations SOGA and Aces would perhaps not were achieved without global information sharing and the significant efforts by regulations enforcement authorities on the floor.’
Massively Popular, Massively Corrupt
Soccer, or soccer as it’s more commonly known in the usa, is considered the most popular sport in the world. The game is estimated to own 3.5 billion fans that watch, follow actively, or play soccer.
Its appeal that is vast makes ideal for rogue criminal syndicates. And even though soccer has a backseat to football that is american the united states, it doesn’t keep corruption at bay.
The notorious Paul Phua made lots of headlines in 2014 when he presumably operated a boiler-style that is illegal network out of their villas at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Though he was later acquitted as tactics utilized by investigators were very questionable, the case highlighted the enduring potential risks of illegal recreations betting.
The federal government wins over 90 percent of the criminal cases it files, but it flopped on Phua.
Ongoing Problem
‘Operation SOGA VI’ was the SOGA that is sixth operation by Interpol since it began emphasizing unlawful gambling in 2007. To date, Interpol states $53 million in cash has been sized and over 3,400 gambling that is illegal have actually been halted.
According to Interpol, those detained were responsible for assisting $6.4 billion worth of bets.
While Interpol is patting itself on the back, not absolutely all experts believe the agency goes about it the way that is right.
‘Interpol has been coordinating anti-sport gambling operations in Asia for years now, always with big arrest and seizure numbers of this easy-to-detect smaller street operators,’ International Centre for Sport safety Integrity Director Chris Eaton said in a declaration.
‘The big organized gambling that is online turning over billions . . . escape this attention,’ Eaton declared. ‘Small-scale and token police operations look good, but tend to enhance the mega illegal operators by eliminating the smaller ones.’
Eaton may have a valid point considering the FBI estimated Phua’s team had taken in $357 million in illegal bets in 2014.
The American Gaming Association claims People in america alone will bet nearly $139 billion illegally on sports in 2016. That is why Interpol just intercepting $6.4 billion in bets over nine years might not be something to commemorate.