James Kent Law - LTD

CARSON CITY – Gambling winnings on the Las Vegas Strip fell in May by 6.3 percent with Baccarat and sports books taking the biggest hits.

The struggling Siena Hotel Spa Casino in downtown Reno has cleared the first hurdle to remain open, at least through the busy July 4th holiday weekend. Dennis Neilander, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, said the resort posted a $230,000 bankroll by a 5 p.m. Friday deadline.

In an unprecedented decision, the Nevada Gaming Commission gave a financially troubled Reno hotel-casino slightly more than 24 hours to come up with a $230,000 bankroll to protect its winning customers.

CARSON CITY – The Siena Hotel Spa & Casino, a landmark in downtown Reno, is facing the possible loss of the gaming license it has held for more than half a century.

Lawyers for a high-rolling Nebraska gambler are seeking to dismiss criminal charges in Las Vegas stemming from nearly $15 million in gambling debts, saying the district attorney has a conflict of interest and has acknowledged the gambler didn’t intend to defraud the casinos.

CARSON CITY – After two consecutive months of gains, the gambling win at casinos on the Las Vegas Strip fell slightly in April, but baccarat play and roulette registered strong increases.

Two companies that planned to develop casinos in Laughlin filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation Monday in Las Vegas, just as trial was set to begin in a lawsuit alleging the projects were tainted by fraud.

Severe winter weather, regional competition and an overall decline in consumer spending delivered a big blow to Atlantic City casinos during the first quarter of the year. Atlantic City’s 11 casinos reported a 25.2 percent drop in profit in the first three months of 2010.

Bankrupt Black Gaming LLC is preparing to demolish its closed Oasis casino in Mesquite and some of the 900 Oasis hotel rooms. The demolition is part of a company plan to focus on two other operating properties in Mesquite.

Casinos along the Las Vegas Strip posted their fourth increased win in the past five months in March, buoyed by strong performances in Baccarat and sports betting.