Gambling in the USA
Cordish Gaming Group Names Joe Billhimer As Executive Vice President To Lead Live! Casino Expansion Into Pennsylvania
![Cordish Gaming Group Names Joe Billhimer As Executive Vice President To Lead Live! Casino Expansion Into Pennsylvania](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/JOE-BILLHIMER.jpg)
Gaming Industry Veteran to Oversee all Aspects of Development for New World-Class Gaming and Entertainment Destinations in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh
Cordish Gaming Group, a division of The Cordish Companies, today announced the appointment of gaming industry veteran JOE BILLHIMER as EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT. In this role, Mr. Billhimer will be responsible for leading the company’s expansion into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the development of two new Live! Casino properties in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. His extensive experience in the gaming and hospitality sector will lead the brand towards significant growth as it breaks into a new gaming market.
Mr. Billhimer brings more than 25 years in the gaming and hospitality industries to his new position, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer of Eldorado Resorts, Inc. in Reno, NV. He also served as President of MTR Gaming, based in Wexford, PA., prior to its merger with Eldorado Resorts. Billhimer also served as Chief Executive Officer of Premier Entertainment, where he was named Casino Journal’s “Executive of the Year” for his efforts in developing, and redeveloping, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Biloxi after its destruction by Hurricane Katrina. Additionally, Billhimer has held leadership positions at Foundation Gaming Group, Caesars Entertainment’s Grand Casino Resort in Gulfport, MS., and Casino Magic Bay in St. Louis, MS.
“We make it a priority to hire experts of the highest caliber in the industry and we have certainly found that in Joe. Under his leadership, we are confident that our new Live! Casino properties will deliver the same unparalleled gaming and entertainment experiences that guests have come to expect at our other Live! branded locations,” said Rob Norton, President, Cordish Gaming Group. “We join Joe and his team in our excitement to usher in a new era for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with projects that will positively impact surrounding communities through strategic economic development, employment opportunities and philanthropic initiatives.”
The new Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia will be a world-class gaming, dining and entertainment destination, located in the heart of the Stadium Entertainment District in South Philadelphia. Upon opening in early 2021, this anchor property at 900 Packer Avenue will transform the area into an integrated sports, entertainment and casino resort destination, which already welcomes more than 8.5 million visitors a year. The 1.5 million-square-foot facility will feature more than 200 luxury hotel rooms, Philadelphia’s only FanDuel® Sportsbook, 2,200 slots and electronic table games, 150+ live action table games, including poker, and a variety of dining and nightlife options.
Located in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, PA, Live! Casino Pittsburgh will set a new standard for development for the county in the areas of economic opportunity and inclusivity for local residents. The 100,000-square-foot facility will feature 750 slots and electronic table games and approximately 30 live action table games; a Sportsbook; plus, nationally-recognized restaurants and live entertainment venues.
SOURCE Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia
Gambling in the USA
BetBlocker Recognised for Outstanding Contribution to the Prevention of Gambling Harm at NCPG Awards 2024
![BetBlocker Recognised for Outstanding Contribution to the Prevention of Gambling Harm at NCPG Awards 2024](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/BetBlocker-NCPG-Awards-2024.png)
BetBlocker received the prestigious Jim Wuelfing Annual Award for Prevention at this year’s National Council on Problem Gambling Awards on Friday the 19th of July, which was received by the charity’s Chief of Safer Gambling Partnerships, Pedro Romero.
The award, which was named after a famed trainer and advocate for the prevention of problem gambling in the United States, recognises people or organisations who have advocated for the inclusion of prevention strategies in the spectrum of problem gambling services, developed effective prevention programs and who have worked to help problem gambling prevention programs reached underserved and at-risk groups.
This award comes off of the back of years of work by the BetBlocker team to deliver an effect and free blocking software that can be used anonymously by anyone, anywhere in the world. As well as a traditional blocking software product, intended for use after a crisis, BetBlocker is the only blocking software to offer a Calendaring feature, allowing users to plan ahead and set the block to switch on during known periods of vulnerability.
Alongside these features, BetBlocker has translated its services into 6 non-English languages with many more to come, to help minority communities access support that would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Founder of the charity, Duncan Garvie, had this to say about the award: “Recognition of BetBlocker’s work within the problem gambling space by the NCPG, one of the most influential voices within the sector, is amongst the highest possible accolades our organisation could receive.
I speak for the entire BetBlocker team when I say how deeply honoured we are to receive this award.”
Pedro Romero added the following: “It was incredibly humbling at the NCPG conference this year to speak to so many of the harm minimisation organisation in the USA that are already referring there service users to BetBlocker. Running an anonymous service and we don’t interact with our used frequently it’s easy to lose sight of just how many people are positively impacted by the support we offer.”
Gambling in the USA
The Cordish Companies Celebrates Major Construction Milestone During “Topping Off” Ceremony for New $270+ Million Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana Project
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/3-4.jpg)
LRGC Gaming Investors LLC, an affiliate of The Cordish Companies, marked a significant milestone in the construction of the first land-based casino in the Shreveport-Bossier market during the “Topping Off” ceremony for the new $270+ Million Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, a project that will serve as a regional destination for world-class gaming, dining, entertainment, and hotel amenities.
The Cordish Companies and General Contractor AnderCorp were joined by State of Louisiana, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Former Secretary of State, Kyle Ardoin; Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Chris Hebert; Louisiana State Senator Sam L. Jenkins, Jr.; Bossier City Mayor Thomas Chandler; Bossier Parish Police Jury President Philip Rodgers, along with dozens of other state and local elected officials, and regional business, community and tourism leaders, to celebrate the final commemorative beam being raised to complete the superstructure of the new world-class property.
“Today marks an incredibly special day for The Cordish Companies as we continue to expand our Live! brand in the Southeast region of the country with the development of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana. With the first land-based casino in the market, Live! Casino & Hotel will be a transformative development that will bring a first-class gaming and entertainment experience to millions of visitors, create significant new jobs, and generate millions of dollars in economic benefits for the community for generations to come,” said Rob Norton, President of Cordish Gaming Group, the gaming division of The Cordish Companies.
Located along the scenic Red River in Bossier City, directly across from Shreveport, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will feature more than 47,000-square-feet of gaming space; 1000+ slots and electronic table games; 40+ live action table games; a sportsbook; an upscale 550-room hotel, resort pool and fitness center; a 25,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose Event Center for top name entertainment, meeting, conventions, non-profit and social gatherings; a 31-site RV park with concrete pads and full hook-ups; structured and surface parking; and 30,000-square-feet of best-in-class dining entertainment venues with new food and beverage outlets.
The project, which is scheduled to open in Q1 2025, is projected to generate more than $35 million in gaming tax revenues for Bossier City and more than $168 million for the State of Louisiana within its first five years of operation and create approximately 1500 new jobs including 750 new construction jobs and approximately 750 permanent jobs for local and regional residents.
Careers will be available in every field, including hotel operations, finance, marketing, human resources, information technologies, food and beverage, facilities, security and surveillance and casino operations. Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will also purchase tens of millions of dollars in goods and services in the region. As recognized leaders in community outreach with unparalleled track records of supporting local and regional businesses, The Cordish Companies is committed to ensuring contract opportunities for local, MBE/WBE, and veteran-owned companies.
“I am honored to lead the board at such an exciting time for the gaming industry in Louisiana. Our team has worked so hard to establish this first land-based casino in the Bossier market, and we are ecstatic to be one step closer to realizing it with today’s topping off of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana,” Chris Hebert, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, said.
“We have already seen the benefits that Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana has brought to Bossier City. As we get closer to opening this landmark property, our anticipation continues to build, and I couldn’t be happier for my community and more appreciative of Live! for its partnership and positive impact,” Thomas Chandler, Mayor of Bossier City, said.
“Bossier Parish is very excited to have Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana that will soon become a destination for many locals and visitors. We are very thankful for the investment they are making in this area and cannot wait to see it to completion,” Philip Rodgers, President of the Bossier Parish Police Jury, said.
“Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana is a spectacular one-stop destination for excitement for everyone from gaming enthusiasts, foodies, sports fans, concert goers or just locals and visitors looking for their next night out. Hundreds of men and women are working hard to make sure that this property will be unforgettable the moment it opens its doors, promising an experience that will entice visitors from near and far to return again and again. Today marks a significant milestone in this journey, and we eagerly anticipate showcasing all the incredible offerings we have planned for early 2025,” John J. Chaszar, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, said.
Gambling in the USA
Sac & Fox Casino and CasinoTrac Partner for CMS Upgrade
![](https://gamingamericas.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/3-3.jpg)
Table Trac Inc. announced a new agreement to replace a competitor’s system with the CasinoTrac casino management system at Sac & Fox Casino in Powhattan, KS.
Eric Wright, General Manager of Sac & Fox Casino, stated: “CasinoTrac has come a long way since I first worked with the system. It should easily accomplish what we need at our property.”
Chad Hoehne, President of Table Trac, stated: “Eric and his team really put us to the test, drilling deep into the CasinoTrac revenue audit and accounting functions for compliance with their audit standards. These exercises were diligent and necessary in earning their trust, business, and our 41st Native American tribal partnership.”
Sac & Fox Casino will deploy PlayerLINQ-CasinoTrac’s 6.2” touchscreen player tracking interface, CTLoyalty for all patron marketing, promotions, and bonusing administration and management, KioskTrac promotional games with account management, and slot accounting solutions.
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