New $270 million Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana ready for grand opening

The Cordish Companies announced Friday the highly anticipated grand opening of their new $270 million Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will take place on Feb. 13 (pending approval from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board).

Situated along the scenic Red River in Bossier City, and adjacent to Shreveport, the $270+ million facility will be a transformative development bringing economic opportunity and inclusivity to local residents.

“Starting today, guests can book reservations at the luxury Live! Hotel online at Louisiana.LiveCasinoHotel.com,” The Cordish Companies said in a company press release.

Tickets are also on sale now at AXS.com or Louisiana.LiveCasinoHotel.com for the inaugural lineup of entertainment at the new Event Center at Live!, featuring Walker Hayes (Feb. 28), The Commodores (March 7), Matt Mathews (March 8), and Clint Black (March 29).

Whether you're a sports fan, a foodie, a gaming enthusiast, or just seeking an unforgettable night out, “you'll find it all under one roof,” said John Chaszar, executive vice president and general manager of Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana. "We are so ready to go Live! in 2025 and deliver this top-tier gaming and entertainment experience that is unmatched by anything else in the four-state region.”

“We couldn't be more pleased to be able to put our beautiful new hotel rooms and show tickets on sale now, just in time for the holiday, so our future guests could surprise their loved ones with a night on the town at the hottest new gaming and entertainment destination in the Shreveport-Bossier market," said Joshua Robinson, vice president of Marketing at Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana.

Property Features

• 47,000 square feet of gaming space
• More than 1,000 slots and electronic table games
• Over 40 live-action table games
• Dedicated High Limits Room
• Industry-leading sportsbook
• Luxury, 12-story, 549-room Live! Hotel with resort-style pool and fitness center
• A 31-site RV park with concrete pads and full hookups
• 30,000 square feet of dining and entertainment options
• Resort pool and fitness center
• Event Center featuring 25,000 square feet of customizable meeting space to accommodate groups of 12 to nearly 1,200 guests
• Convenient access to parking with an attached multi-level structured parking facility and adjacent surface parking

Restaurant Lineup

The lineup of premier dining and entertainment options will include:

Sports & Social, the premier sports bar and restaurant in the United States offers guests an immersive sports entertainment atmosphere as the next best game-watching experience outside of a stadium or arena.

Born from the toughest sport on dirt, the iconic PBR Cowboy Bar lives up to its legendary namesake, Professional Bull Riders, which embodies toughness, determination, and a true spirit of independence.

Luk Fu (pronounced "Luck Foo"), is a vibrant Asian-themed restaurant featuring the traditional flavors of Southeast Asia.

The Prime Rib is renowned for luxurious fine dining and exceptional service in an environment of timeless sophistication.

Ridotto Grand Café, conveniently located adjacent to the hotel lobby, will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

VIP Play gains access to West Virginia iGaming market

Mobile gaming operator VIP Play, Inc. has agreed to terms with Delaware North to operate in West Virginia under Delaware North's Wheeling Island Casino license. The company is already operating in Tennessee as ZenSports.

Delaware North is a global hospitality and entertainment company with a significant gaming division, including a portfolio of regional casinos in eight states.

As part of the agreement, VIP Play will pay Delaware North a percentage of its online net gaming revenue during the term.

The new agreement with Delaware North marks the start of VIP Play's 2025 U.S. expansion efforts. The team expects to launch in West Virginia (pending regulatory approval) before the 2025 collegiate football season and in coordination with the development of the newly branded and designed VIP Play app, set to debut in Tennessee next year.

Bruce Cassidy, CEO and chairman of the board at VIP Play, said West Virginia is an ideal market for the company.

“We welcome the addition of online casino – "iGaming" – to our list of offerings within the U.S. and are excited to bring the VIP Play mobile app to West Virginia residents and visitors in 2025.”

New customers at ZenSports received a No Danger First Wager Up To $100. If your first bet loses, get it back as cash up to $100.

App Upgrade

In November, VIP Play announced they had signed a multi-year agreement with the Kambi Group to power their sportsbook growth in Tennessee and in future markets.

VIP Play (formerly known as KeyStar Corp.) acquired the assets of the ZenSports platform in 2022 and has operated in Tennessee as ZenSports since July 2023.

VIP Play will use Kambi Turnkey Sportsbook and its proprietary technology to build an entirely customized version of the Kambi platform compared to what is available in the industry today. The new upgrade is designed to deliver speed, stability, and flexibility in highly competitive markets across the globe.

Tennessee Sports Betting Revenue

Sports bettors in Tennessee are supporting the market with big numbers.

In November, the monthly sports gaming report from the Tennessee Sports Wagering Council showed the state handled a record-breaking $594 million in bets during the month. That total marks an 8.5% increase on the previous all-time high of $547 million set in October.

Pegasus Airlines orders 100 Boeing 737-10 MAX jets

On Thursday, Boeing and Pegasus Airlines announced that Türkiye's leading low-cost carrier will grow and modernize its single-aisle fleet with an order for up to 200 737 MAX airplanes. The airline's purchase includes a firm order for 100 737-10 jets – plus options for 100 more.

The largest model in the 737 MAX family, the 737-10 can carry as many as 230 passengers and has a range of up to 5,740 kilometers (3,100 nautical miles). It reduces fuel use and emissions by 20% compared to the airplanes it replaces. “The airplane's efficiency and flexibility will enable Pegasus Airlines to serve more passengers on more routes with the lowest cost per seat of any single-aisle airplane,” Boeing said in a company press release.

Pegasus Airlines CEO Güliz Öztürk said the new aircraft will help the company open new routes.

"Boeing aircraft have been an integral part of our operations since Pegasus entered the aviation industry in 1990," Öztürk said. "We continue to invest in our fleet in line with our growth targets in Türkiye and globally, and to expand our network by launching new routes."

Ozturk added: "The first 100 aircraft are firm orders and we will be evaluating converting the remaining 100 aircraft options into firm orders in the coming years, based on market conditions and the needs of our fleet."

Pegasus Airlines launched operations with the Boeing 737 Classic nearly 35 years ago. The 737-10 will complement the airline's fleet of Next-Generation 737s by providing operational commonality and flexibility to meet growing travel demand.

The 737-10 will support Pegasus Airlines in reaching new markets across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook forecasts that European and Central Asian operators will take delivery of nearly 7,900 single-aisle airplanes over the next 20 years.

"When considered within the scope of Boeing's National Aerospace Initiative launched with the Turkish government in 2017, our order will also open new doors and create production and export opportunities both for Turkish manufacturers and for the wider aviation industry," said Öztürk.

Pegasus Airlines' purchase of 100 737-10 jets will bring the total orders of the 737 MAX variant to more than 1,200 jets.

Incorporated in 1990, Pegasus was acquired by ESAS Holding in 2005 and launched as a scheduled low-cost carrier. Pegasus carries its guests to 144 destinations, with 35 in Türkiye and 109 on its international network, in 53 countries.

First Airbus A400M cargo plane for Kazakhstan

Airbus Defence and Space has delivered the first Airbus A400M to the Republic of Kazakhstan. The plane will become the cornerstone of the country’s tactical and strategic airlift operations.

Following a ferry flight from Airbus’ A400M Final Assembly Line in Seville, southern Spain, the first of two Airbus A400Ms was handed over during a ceremony in Almaty, south Kazakhstan.

“Proven for over a decade in military and humanitarian operations worldwide, the A400M is a game changer for the Kazakh Air Defense Forces, delivering unrivaled tactical and strategic capabilities in a single platform,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, head of air power at Airbus Defence and Space. “A second A400M, currently in production, will further strengthen these capabilities on its delivery in 2026.”

With the delivery of this aircraft, production number MSN139, Airbus will also provide a full range of maintenance and training support.

To date, more than 130 A400Ms have been delivered to nine countries and have accumulated 200,000 flight hours, participating in missions such as the evacuation of civilian and military personnel from Afghanistan, Sudan and Niger. The A400M can transport heavy and outsized cargo onto short, unprepared airstrips and drop up to 116 paratroopers or 25 tons of cargo.

DEA requests new airborne imaging systems for aircraft

The Aviation Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) wants to install new airborne imaging systems and mission equipment aboard its aircraft.

According to a Request for Proposal (RFP) document released in November, the new imaging equipment will be installed on Cessna 206 and Cessna 208 aircraft along with Bell 407 and Bell 412 helicopters.

The RFP document shows an estimated nine Cessna 206, two Cessna 208, two Cessna 208B, five Bell 407, and one Bell 412 will receive the new imaging equipment.

Cessna 206

The new airborne imaging systems for each Cessna 206 aircraft shall consist of one L3Harris Wescam MX-10 Gyro-stabilized EO/IR imager and associated equipment. The MX-10 shall be mounted on the left side of the aircraft just behind the rear most window via a fuselage camera mount. The operator console will be in the rear cabin area directly behind the pilot and copilot’s seats.

The contractor will also install and integrate the Janteq AViTR3 Transceiver System. This system will transmit C-Band frequencies while receiving L-Band frequencies allowing live video through a secure connection to and from Adaptive Central Receive Systems, or ACRx citywide systems.

ACRx is a video collection, transport, and centralized receive system designed to maximize coverage area and support a scalable number of subscribers. ACRx systems are deployed in many of the metropolitan areas across the United States and are shared by the FBI and other Department of Justice (DOJ) law enforcement agencies. All data collected is backhauled to a local DOJ facility located in the area of responsibility.

Cessna 208

The airborne imaging systems for each Cessna 208 aircraft shall consist of one L3Harris Wescam MX-15HDi Gyro-stabilized EO/IR imager and associated equipment. The MX-15HDi shall be mounted on the left side of the aircraft via a fuselage camera mount.

Bell 407

The airborne imaging systems for each Bell 407 shall consist of one L3Harris Wescam MX-10 Gyro-stabilized EO/IR imager and associated equipment. The imager for the Bell 407 shall be mounted on the aircraft’s nose utilizing an imager mount.

Bell 412

The airborne imaging systems for each Bell 412 shall consist of one L3Harris Wescam MX-10 Gyro-stabilized EO/IR imager and associated equipment. The Imager for the Bell 412 shall be mounted on the aircraft’s belly forward of the pilot’s position.

The Period of Performance under the contract will be one base year with four one-year options. The contractor will be required to complete the installation of each system within ten weeks after each aircraft is delivered to the contractor’s facility.

“Due to mission requirements, the government anticipates no more than two aircraft at a time undergoing an airborne imaging system and mission equipment installation,” the DEA said in the RFP.

Answering questions from contractors, the DEA provided a list of serial numbers for their fleet of Bell helicopters in the RFP document.

DEA Bell Helicopter Fleet

Bell 407, serial number: 53680

Bell 407, serial number: 53720

Bell 407, serial number: 53654

Bell 407, serial number: 53693

Bell 407, serial number: 53900

Bell 407, serial number: 53911

Bell 407, serial number: 53621

Bell 412, serial number: 36388

Bell 412, serial number: 36390

Bell 412, serial number: 36448

Bell 412, serial number: 36493

Missile Defense Agency awards $24.7 million 'flight campaign' to Stratolaunch

The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has awarded Stratolaunch LLC a $24.7 million contract to provide a “flight campaign” that will support several test objectives for the agency. MDA announced the contract award on Friday.

Stratolaunch LLC, located in Mojave, Calif, is being awarded a competitive firm-fixed-price other transaction agreement valued at $24,749,990.00, MDA said in the announcement.

“Under this new agreement, the performer will provide a flight campaign in support of Missile Defense Agency test objectives,” MDA said in the brief announcement.

Aircraft Fleet

Stratolaunch operates two massive aircraft that can air-launch payloads to space and within the Earth’s atmosphere at a reduced cost with more flexibility than current vertical launch options.

One aircraft, named Roc, has six Boeing 747 engines and a wingspan of 385 feet – longer than an American football field, Roc is the largest of any plane ever assembled with a payload capacity of 550,000 pounds.

The company also operates a Boeing 747 known as “Spirit of Mojave.” The Boeing 747 is a readily deployable launch platform able to test a variety of payloads from a variety of locations.

Both aircraft operate as an air launch platform for space vehicles or hypersonic research.

Fully Funded Work

The work under the new MDA contract will be performed in Mojave. The period of performance is December 2024 through December 2025.

“This agreement was competitively awarded via the MDA Innovation, Science & Technology Broad Agency Announcement, Solicitation No, HQ0860-23-S-0001,” MDA said. “This effort will be fully funded with Fiscal Year 2024 Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funds.”

The Missile Defense Agency Redstone Arsenal in Alabama is managing the contract. The announcement doesn’t state which aircraft will be used for the MDA flight campaign.

According to Aviation Week, Stratolaunch is going through final approvals to conduct its first reusable test flight of the Talon A hypersonic testbed by the end of the month. That test will use the Spirit of Mojave aircraft.

Success in March

In March, Stratolaunch completed the first powered flight of the Talon-A test vehicle, TA-1. This was the first flight in the development of the country's first privately funded, reusable hypersonic test capability.

“While I can’t share the specific altitude and speed TA-1 reached due to proprietary agreements with our customers, we are pleased to share that in addition to meeting all primary and customer objectives of the flight, we reached high supersonic speeds approaching Mach 5 and collected a great amount of data at an incredible value to our customers,” said Zachary Krevor, president and CEO of Stratolaunch.

New date announced for Caesars Virginia casino grand opening

Caesars Entertainment announced on Friday that the highly anticipated grand opening of their new Caesars Virginia location will now occur on Dec. 17. This is an update to the company’s previous announcement that said the property would open on Dec. 12.

Caesars Virginia will now welcome its first guests on Dec. 17 at noon, when doors will officially open to the public, the company said in an email to customers. The email did not state a reason for the date change.

“Our opening day festivities will begin at 10:15 a.m. with a parade of race cars supplied by Virginia International Raceway,” the company said. “The parade route will weave through Danville’s streets, starting at the Danville Farmers’ Market and ending at Caesars Virginia. Joining us as the parade’s master of ceremonies is five-time NBA Champion Dennis Rodman who will also make the ceremonial first bet in Caesars Sportsbook.”

An official ribbon cutting will commence at 11 a.m. in the resort’s porte cochere before the doors open at noon.

The grand opening celebration will conclude later that evening with a fireworks and drone show at 8 p.m., lighting the sky above the resort.

A temporary Danville Casino has been operating on the property since May 2023. Danville Casino, one of three casinos currently operating in Virginia, reported an Adjusted Gross Revenue of $18.2 million for October, according to a monthly report by the Virginia Lottery.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol held a grand opening ceremony from a temporary casino to a full resort on Nov. 14. Rivers Casino Portsmouth opened in January 2023 as Virginia’s first permanent casino.

Two more casinos are planned for the Commonwealth in the City of Norfolk and Petersburg.

Changes coming to US Army rotary wing training

The U.S. Army's Initial Entry Rotary Wing is seeking comments from defense contractors on how they can improve the quality of training provided to its new aviators, cut costs, and improve efficiency.

The Army released a Request For Information (RFI) document in October detailing changes coming to the training problem. The program includes classroom, simulator, and live flight training that takes place at Fort Novosel, Ala.

The Initial Entry Rotary Wing Flight Training has been located at Fort Novosel for over 50+ years. It operates with “inefficiencies” from years of change and multiple disparate contracts, the Army said in the RFI. The Army is seeking to simultaneously improve the quality of training provided to its new aviators, cut costs, and improve efficiency.

Currently, hours of flight operations begin at 6 a.m. and end around midnight. Saturday flight periods are conducted when students are behind in training due to weather or maintenance and the weekend follows a federal holiday to meet current capacity numbers.

The Army Aviation Center of Excellence is seeking information from commercial aviation industry partners and aviation training providers on solutions and methodologies that inform the Army’s analysis and development of options to transform the flight training at Fort Novosel. The Army also highlights the potential replacement of the current training helicopter (Lakota LUH-72) to reduce costs, gain efficiency, and maintain or increase aviation training quality.

In August, a Fort Novosel UH-72 Lakota experienced a mishap that injured three crew members.

“Once again, the goal of the effort is to explore Courses of Action that could reduce costs, gain efficiencies, and maintain or increase aviation training quality,” the Army said.

The Army envisions a long-term contract that will provide a modern Adult Learning Model maximizing innovation, efficiency, and technology to more effectively train the next generation of Army Aviation Professionals. The model must maximize efficiency and throughput while increasing aviator quality.

Over the past 20 years, the annual number of initial pilots produced has been between 980 and 1,400 a year. These pilots must graduate from this program at a rate to ensure availability to fill advanced airframe seats for the AH-64E, UH-60M, CH-47F, C-12U, and the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft. Currently, this equates to inducting 50-54 aviators every two weeks. The maximum student input in the past 10 Fiscal Years has been 1,380 students annually.

The overall objective is to create a new pilot prepared to be successful as they transition to their U.S. Army Airframe (AH-64E/UH-60M/CH-47F/C-12U).

Crazy Time ranked #1 online casino game show

A monthly industry report that tracks the performance of online casino games has Crazy Time ranked as the top table game right now, but most call it a live game show.

Crazy Time was launched by casino game developer Evolution, a Sweden-based company, and first went live in 2020. The game title accurately describes the year 2020. It was a “crazy time” when the world was dealing with the coronavirus outbreak.

A chart in the November issue of the U.S. Online Game Performance Report ranks the top 25 table games based on performance. The report is published by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, LLC (EKG) and Fantini Research.

It is almost routine to find International Game Technology’s Blackjack game ranked #1 on the table games chart in the EKG report. Not this time. Crazy Time has slowly made its way to the top spot.

For the U.S. market, Crazy Time first appeared in New Jersey online casinos in December 2023. The states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, and Michigan were added between June and October 2024.

To rank all table games available at U.S. online casinos, EKG collects game performance data directly from casino operators monthly. Evolution’s Crazy Time first appeared in the EKG report in September ranked #2. The live game show remained in the top five games until reaching #1 for the first time in November.

EKG does warn that their report is a sample and may not be representative of the overall North American online casino market.

So why all the excitement over Crazy Time? There appear to be a lot of moving parts to this live game show. Let's see if I can keep things straight.

Live Dealer Game Show

Crazy Time is set in a large colorful and entertaining studio that includes a main money wheel, a set of Top Slot reels above the money wheel, and four exciting bonus games on the wheel. The bonus games are Cash Hunt, Pachinko, Coin Flip, and Crazy Time. More on them later.

All the bonus games are present on the big money wheel. So, you are playing all these games at once during each spin. It just depends on where the money wheel stops, on a number, or a bonus game.

Place Your Bets

It’s easy to play, as players place their bets on numbers (1, 2, 5, or 10) or the bonus games found on the wheel. Once bets are placed, the live show host spins the wheel.

In the main game, the Top Slot reels above will spin together with the main money wheel at the start of every game round. The Top Slot generates one random multiplier for one random bet spot – either a number or a bonus game. If the wheel lands on the same number or bonus game as randomly selected by the Top Slot, a multiplier is added.

Cash Hunt

One of the bonus games you can land on with the main wheel is Cash Hunt. Cash Hunt is a shooting gallery featuring a large screen with 108 random multipliers. The multipliers are covered by random symbols and are shuffled before the player can position their aim when the countdown timer starts. The player selects the target where they believe the largest multiplier is hiding. The cannon will shoot at the target and reveal the won multiplier when the time is up.

Coin Flip

The flip of a coin will determine which multiplier will be won from the Coin Flip bonus game. A coin with a blue and a red side is flipped, and the side that’s facing up when the coin lands wins. Before the coin is automatically flipped, two multipliers will be generated, one that applies if the red side wins, and one for the blue side.

Pachinko

The Pachinko bonus game features a large Pachinko wall with a multitude of physical pegs. The game presenter will drop a puck, and the players will win the multiplier where the puck lands. If the puck lands on a ‘DOUBLE’ value, all the multipliers at the bottom of the wall will be doubled and the puck will be dropped again – until a multiplier is won. The puck can be dropped again until the multipliers have reached the maximum 10,000x multiplier.

Crazy Time Bonus Game

If the main wheel lands on Crazy Time, the show host will open a red door to enter a crazy and fun virtual world with a gigantic virtual money wheel. In this bonus game, players select blue, green, or yellow on the virtual wheel. The game presenter starts the wheel by pushing a big red button. When the wheel comes to a stop, the player wins the multiplier based on what color they selected. If the wheel points to a ‘DOUBLE’ or TRIPLE’ value on the wheel, all the multipliers are doubled or tripled, and the wheel will spin again. The wheel can be re-spun until the multipliers have reached the maximum 20,000x multiplier.

Be The Next Contestant

Crazy Time is available at BetMGM Casino, Caesars Sportsbook, Golden Nugget, DraftKings, PokerStars, BetRivers, Casino Palace, FanDuel, Horseshoe Online Casino, Borgata Online Casino, and other online casinos.

The newest online piggy slot game from 1X2 Gaming ranked #1

Online slot games with a pig theme are getting more and more attention these days. The slot game Rich Little Piggies Hog Wild, developed by Light & Wonder, has been a major hit. Serious slot players continue to debate whether the game provides a “player advantage” in some situations. Just wait and see how long it takes for one of the three pigs in the game to explode, you’ll see what I mean.

In the meantime, many developers are catching on to the pig theme; one of the newest games, 3 Porky Banks, is currently ranked #1.

Developed by 1X2 Gaming with Iron Dog Studio, 3 Porky Banks Hold and Win is currently the top-ranked new game in online slots, according to the latest U.S. Online Game Performance Report. The monthly report is published by Eilers & Krejcik Gaming (EKG) and Fantini Research.

One chart in the EKG report ranks the top 25 newest slot games each month and 3 Porky Banks Hold and Win is ranked #1 in the November issue.

3 Porky Banks Hold and Win

Are you ready to be a jackpot hog? 3 Porky Banks has a feast of winnings for all slot players set on a 5x3 reel video slot with 25 pay lines.

Three piggy banks at the top of the screen grow larger as you collect coins from the game. The porky banks bring unique bonus game features.

The blue pig bank multiplies all values by x2. The purple bank can turn coins into 15x/30x/50x/75x/100x multipliers or jackpots. The red bank collects all the values from the reels. These features can also be triggered simultaneously, increasing the chances of big wins. And that’s not all.

Landing on six coins in the game triggers the Hold & Win feature that awards three spins and resets every time a new coin is found.

The game has a minimum bet of $0.20 and a maximum of $25.00. You can also try your luck at winning a Mini, Minor, Major, or Mega piggy jackpot.

3 Porky Banks has an average Return-To-Player (RTP) rating of 95.25%. RTP is a term used in gambling to refer to the percentage a game might play back to the player based on their wager size and the game. After betting $100 over several hundred spins 3 Porky Banks might return $95.25 to the player over that time. But there are no guarantees.

Just In Time for The Holidays

As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season, players can step into a winter wonderland with 3 Porky Banks Christmas. But you’ll have to wait to open this slot game. The 1X2 Gaming website says the Christmas version is “coming soon.” But have your snow boots ready to follow the 3 Porky Banks into this snowy landscape for a magical holiday slot adventure.

As of right now, it looks like 3 Porky Banks Hold and Win is only available in Michigan at BetMGM Online Casino, Caesars, PokerStars, and BetRivers.

US Customs agency request information to upgrade aging helicopter fleet

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is seeking information and feedback from contractors on how to convert its current fleet of Blackhawk helicopters to the newer UH-60L-Prime model. CBP detailed the helicopter conversion effort in a Request For Information (RFI) document released on Tuesday.

The agency’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) division currently operates a mixed fleet of Sikorsky H60 Blackhawk helicopters, “several of which are approaching their service life,” the agency said in the RFI document. CBP management has directed replacing aging units within the fleet with lower-time aircraft while simultaneously reducing the disparate aircraft types into a single “Lima” platform to promote fleet standardization and reduce operating costs.

The AMO H60 Blackhawk helicopters are a vital platform used for emergency response, rescue, enforcement, transport, and surveillance. In addition, the newer UH60L-Prime will serve as a force multiplier for law enforcement and emergency personnel by providing rapid-response deployment of equipment, canines, and people.

“AMO seeks a lower time, standardized Medium Lift Helicopter fleet to improve aircraft safety and reliability, improve mission effectiveness, and be more cost-effective to operate and maintain,” the agency said. “These characteristics translate into improved operational effectiveness and enable AMO to provide expeditious, effective, and reliable support.”

The plan is to fully convert 15 UH-60L and two HH-60 aircraft to the UH-60L Prime variant.

The following systems and upgrades are planned to be installed during the modification from a stock U.S. Army UH60L to the CBP variant UH60L-Prime:

• Dual Garmin 750Xi GPS / Comm / Nav units
• Dual Astronautics “Roadrunner” Digital ADI / HSI units
• Garmin 345RT Transponder unit
• TDFM 9300 Secure Mission Radio
• Eagle ICS Router and Audio Panels (6ea).
• Shotover Mission Management / Moving Map system
• Macro Blue Mission Management Display Screen
• L3 ESI-500 EFIS Standby Instrument
• Shadin Dual Engine Fuel Flow System
• Robertson 200 Gallon Internal Auxiliary Fuel Tank System
• FRIES Fast Rope Bar System
• Martin Baker Gunner’s Seats with Floor Pallet
• Outerlink CP3i Satellite Tracking Device
• 406 MHz ELT
• Motorola APX Handheld Radio Cradle
• HEELS Cabin Emergency Lighting system
• Integrated Rescue Hoist Mount system
• Breeze Eastern Electric Rescue Hoist
• Trakkabeam Searchlight system
• Meeker Sponson Mounts and Steps
• Aft Transition Area Avionics Door
• Antenna For New Radios
• Aircraft Paint Per CBP Paint Scheme

Companies interested in supporting the conversion effort are invited to respond to the CBP RFI by Dec. 6. CBP makes it clear the RFI is for “information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the government to issue a Request for Proposal or to award a contract.”

German Armed Forces receive first H145M helicopter from Airbus

Airbus Helicopters announced Monday they have delivered the first of up to 82 H145Ms helicopters ordered by Germany at its Donauwörth site. The Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) have named their new H145Ms “Leichter Kampfhubschrauber” (light combat helicopter), or LKH for short. The helicopter's missions include training, reconnaissance, special forces operations, and light attack.

The first helicopter delivered is dedicated to training operations and will be used at the German Army's Bückeburg base. The first delivery of a “light attack role” LKH is scheduled for 2025. Pilot training started in August.

Signed in December, the contract between Bundeswehr and Airbus Helicopters for 82 helicopters (62 firm orders plus 20 options) is the largest order ever placed for the H145M and consequently the largest for the HForce weapon management system. The contract also includes seven years of support and services. The German Army will receive 57 helicopters, while the Luftwaffe's special forces will receive five.

The H145M is a multi-role military helicopter that provides a broad range of mission capabilities. Within minutes, the helicopter can be reconfigured from a light attack role with axial ballistic and guided weapons into a special operations version with fast rappelling equipment.

The H145M is the military version of the light twin-engine H145 helicopter. The global fleet of H145s has accumulated close to eight million flight hours. The Bundeswehr already operates 24 H145 helicopters for special forces operations and search and rescue missions.

The U.S. Army employs almost 500 helicopters from the H145 family under the name UH-72 Lakota which have clocked more than 1.5 million flight hours.

Military operators of the H145 family are Hungary, Serbia, Luxembourg, Thailand, Ecuador, and Honduras. Recent orders include Cyprus, signing for six aircraft, Belgium for 17, and Brunei for six.

First multi-mission King Air 360CHW delivered to Peruvian Air Force

Textron Aviation announced Tuesday that it has delivered the first of two multi-mission Beechcraft King Air 360CHW aircraft to the Peruvian Air Force. Equipped with a cargo door, the King Air 360CHW is fitted for heavy-weight operation.

The Beechcraft King Air 360CHW is designed and manufactured by Textron Aviation Inc.

“The King Air 360CHW delivered to the Peruvian Air Force for aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC) can also execute troop and cargo transport, command and control, and many other missions,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, of Special Mission Sales. “From the coast and the highlands to the Amazon rainforest of Peru, the versatile King Air is well suited to operate in diverse, austere, remote locations.”

Delivery of a second aeromedical evacuation-equipped King Air 360CHW is expected in 2025.

Wind Creek acquires Birmingham Racecourse in Alabama

Wind Creek Hospitality announced on Monday they have entered an agreement with the McGregor family to acquire Birmingham Racecourse. Wind Creek Hospitality is owned by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, and the McGregor family owns Birmingham Racecourse.

Wind Creek plans to transform the Birmingham Racecourse into a premier entertainment destination in the Southeast and continue to provide parimutuel and historical horse racing games.

"For over 30 years, we have worked to provide the best possible experience for our customers and employees, while generating significant tax revenue for the state of Alabama and local charities," said Lewis Benefield, president of the Birmingham Racecourse and Victoryland. Benefield said the tax revenue supports local schools, hospitals, charities, and other organizations that need financial support.

Benefield said the McGregor family has consistently sought to enhance the gaming and entertainment options at the Birmingham Racecourse, but legislative hurdles have presented challenges.

"The people of Birmingham desire the same types of entertainment offered at other facilities in and around Alabama," Benefield said. "Unfortunately, differing state laws and enforcement actions regarding gaming have limited our ability to compete effectively. The McGregor family will now focus their efforts on Victoryland in Macon County and advocate for unified gaming legislation in Alabama which would capture much-needed revenue for the people of Alabama."

Jay Dorris, president and CEO of Wind Creek Hospitality said the McGregor family built and has operated the Birmingham Racecourse and Casino for decades, “providing great entertainment, attracting tourism, and creating economic growth In Alabama.”

Stephanie Bryan, Tribal Chair and CEO of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, said the tribe has already been heavily involved in the Birmingham area, supporting organizations like the Birmingham Promise, Birmingham Zoo, and many others. Bryan said Wind Creek will make the facility a major economic force for the area by creating more jobs, taxes, and support for the local community.

The sale of Birmingham Racecourse is expected to be finalized by early 2025.

Video: Chairman Jim Allen reviews development of new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol

Meeting with reporters following the grand opening of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol on Thursday, Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen answered media questions surrounding the project's development from an old shopping mall to an entertainment destination.

   

“If we go back, and I say this with great humor to Clyde and Jim, when I first came down, they had signs up in the old Sears building, ‘we’ll that will be the casino.’ And I said I don't think that's going to work. But certainly navigating what we could reuse of the old mall and obviously building this new facility really turned out well. And as Allie Evangelista (President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol) mentioned, the temporary [casino] certainly has finishes in it as nice as many casinos in the United States. But we certainly were taken to the next level with the entertainment destination. And as I've been working here now, in and out the last three or four weeks, we're pretty happy with what we’ve created.

“In the United States, not just here in Bristol, there's so many abandoned malls. And unfortunately, something that was so popular in the 70s and 80s now becomes some challenge real estate. So to be able to take that amazing geographic location and turn it into a true destination, hopefully thats something that’s very beneficial to the area itself.

“We are incredibly happy with the results of the temporary [casino], they have truly exceeded our expectations. We're privately held [company], so we don't have to say something just to pump our stock. I mean the reality is, we truly are. You need someone who gives hundreds of millions of dollars away. You know, that's pretty unique.

“And we looked more long term about the relationship, not just how much gross money the facility can generate. But we certainly knew Bristol had this amazing legacy that we could build upon, especially not just because of a recent success. But going back to the history of music, and obviously country music. That’s something very important.”

Hard Rock casino grand opening in Virginia attracts visitor from Germany

A visitor from Germany became the first person to check into the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Bristol, Va., on Wednesday. The new casino resort held a VIP preview event on Wednesday night and opened to the public on Thursday.

Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen pointed out the German visitor by his first name “Andy” during a grand opening ceremony on Thursday.

“We actually have a special guest in the audience that no one here locally is aware that the individual is here. Where is Andy?” Allen said. Since 1993 Andy has visited over 400 Hard Rock locations around the world, Allen explained. “He flew in especially just for our opening.”

During a media tour on Thursday morning, Hassan Abdel-Moneim, head of Hard Rock hotel operations, confirmed the first guest to check in arrived from Germany.

“Our first guest checked in yesterday,” Abdel-Moneim said. “I wanna say it was at 11:30 a.m. The gentlemen came all the way from Germany.”

The New Resort

Located at 500 Gate City Highway in Bristol, the 620,000-square-foot resort features nearly 1,500 slot machines, more than 50 table games, a sportsbook, 300-plus hotel rooms, and seven unique dining options, including a signature Hard Rock Cafe. The venue also offers a 2,000-plus seat Hard Rock Live, Rock Shop, designated non-smoking and high-limit gaming areas, authentic music memorabilia, and more.

The new location that opened to the public on Thursday started as a temporary casino, simply titled Bristol Casino. It opened in July 2022.

The temporary Bristol Casino welcomed over three million guests, paid over $68 million in gaming taxes to the Commonwealth of Virginia, donated over $960,000 to support local community nonprofit organizations, and paid over $262 million in jackpots.  The project created approximately 900-1,000 construction-specific jobs and is expected to create over 1,400 full-time and part-time jobs.

The grand opening Thursday featured Hard Rock executives and partners.

Bristol Support

"This is such a monumental moment for the Bristol community and Hard Rock," said Jon Lucas, COO of Hard Rock International. "Hard Rock's music heritage is a natural fit for Bristol, the 'Birthplace of Country Music.' We look forward to serving Bristol and the surrounding region with world-class gaming, dining, and entertainment offerings."

"This milestone brings great pride to Bristol," said Jim McGlothlin, chairman of The United Company, and Clyde Stacy, president of Par Ventures. "Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol is creating well-paying jobs and generating new tax revenue across Southwest Virginia, and local businesses in the Tri-Cities region are already seeing increased tourism and spending. None of this would have been realized without the support of Bristol's residents and leaders."

"This is such an amazing day for Bristol," said Allie Evangelista, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol. "The support from the Bristol community has been inspirational to our dedicated team, which has worked around the clock to prepare for today's grand opening. We look forward to offering guests Hard Rock's world-renowned amenities combined with Bristol's legendary hospitality and service."

More to Come

The opening weekend celebration continues with concert performances by Blake Shelton on Thursday, followed by Soul Asylum on Saturday. Both events will take place in the new Hard Rock Live entertainment venue.

Hard Rock closing temporary Bristol Casino, full resort opens Thursday

Hard Rock International announced on Sunday that its temporary Bristol Casino will close on Monday at 3 a.m. to make way for the grand opening of the permanent resort on Thursday at noon.

The temporary Bristol Casino opened in July 2022 operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In September, the casino had 905 slot machines and 29 table games available to guests, according to a monthly report issued by the Virginia Lottery office.

“Players club memberships and Unity Points will transfer seamlessly from the temporary to the permanent casino, ensuring continued access to rewards and privileges,” Hard Rock said in their announcement. “The permanent facility boasts more than 620,000 square feet of gaming, entertainment, dining, and hospitality space.”

A grand opening ceremony on Thursday will feature a signature Hard Rock Guitar Smash event and a concert by country music artist Blake Shelton at the new entertainment venue. The facility is located at 500 Gate City Highway in Bristol, Va.

“Hard Rock’s rich history fits perfectly with Bristol’s distinction as the ‘Birthplace of Country Music,” said Jon Lucas, COO of Hard Rock International.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol will feature nearly 1,500 slot machines, over 50 table games, a sportsbook, a 303-room hotel, and multiple dining options, including a signature Hard Rock Cafe, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, YOUYU Asian Dining, Constant Grind, and the Marketplace. The facility will also house a Rock Shop, 2,000-plus seat Hard Rock Live, authentic music memorabilia, and much more.

Wind Creek Chicago Southland casino to open Nov. 11

Wind Creek Hospitality is pleased to announce the highly anticipated opening of Wind Creek Chicago Southland on Nov. 11, with doors opening to the public at approximately 11:00 a.m. The Chicago Southland location will be a state-of-the-art casino representing the first step toward delivering a full-scale integrated resort experience, scheduled for completion in spring 2025.

Spanning an impressive 70,000 square feet, Wind Creek Chicago Southland features over 1,400 slot machines, 56 table games, high-limit slot areas, a high-limit table games salon, a poker room, a dynamic sportsbook and 4 "Hidden Gems" throughout the casino floor–offering visitors a unique and customizable private gaming and event microenvironment.

Wind Creek Chicago Southland is expected to create more than 1,000 full-time jobs in fields ranging from hospitality to technology. Roles will include security, gaming attendants, food service, IT technicians, and environmental services.

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Illinois Gaming Board visited the casino for two mandatory test days, which also included an extended invitation to family, friends and local dignitaries.

Wind Creek's partnership with Fabio Viviani Hospitality Group will also introduce an exceptional range of signature restaurants and food & beverage offerings to the highly anticipated property.

New $460 million Rose Gaming Resort opens on former landfill property

Virginia’s push for gambling expansion continued Thursday with the grand opening of The Rose Gaming Resort in Dumfries, Va., a $460 million investment built on a former landfill.

The grand opening on Thursday followed a “soft opening” of the facility on Oct. 23. Officials from the Town of Dumfries, Virginia Department of Agriculture, and the facility’s owner/operator, Churchill Downs, Inc., led the grand opening.

The Rose Gaming Resort is the largest gaming site in a network of eight Rosie’s Gaming Emporiums in Virginia. The Emporiums are in Richmond, Collinsville, Emporia, Hampton, New Kent, Vinton, and Dumfries, Va.

The Rose

The new resort in Dumfries holds 1,650 historical horse racing (HHR) machines, not casino slot machines. HHR terminals look and feel like traditional casino slot machines but operate in a different way to determine a winning spin.

Gamblers visiting the new facility can try their luck playing HHR machines or wagering on live horse racing available via simulcast TVs. A new public park is under development as part of the resort, eight bars and restaurants are open, including the 1609 Steak House and Playbook Sports Bar and Grill.

A hotel with over 100 rooms is part of the resort but is currently unavailable. The grand opening event on Thursday was held in the resort’s parking garage which provides over 2,500 spaces.

Northern Virginia gaming destination

The resort’s General Manager Bobbi Sample said the aim is to make “The Rose” Northern Virginia's premier gaming destination. The new resort is a 30-minute drive from a MGM casino in National Harbor, Md. The MGM casino opened in December 2016 and offers 2,288 slot machines and 211 table games to visitors.

“We're proud to call Dumfries our home and to give back to this community that has so warmly embraced us,” Sample said at the grand opening.

Bill Carstanjen, CEO of Churchill Downs, said 500 employees currently work at The Rose resort.

“Many of them are new to our company, new to our culture, and they've just stepped up and done an amazing thing under pretty intense time pressures and construction issues,” Carstanjen said.

The new Rose Gaming Resort is owned and operated by Churchill Downs and Colonial Downs. Churchill Downs is best known for the Kentucky Derby. Known as the company’s crown jewel, the Kentucky Derby is 150 years old and the longest continually run sporting event in the United States.

Churchill Downs became the parent company of Colonial Downs in 2022. Before Churchill Downs was involved in the project, the Colonial Downs Group planned to open The Rose gaming floor in October 2023 and the hotel in January 2024. That didn’t happen.

Without the gaming resort open, the Town of Dumfries was unable to gain tax revenue. To contribute to the shortfall in tax revenue, Churchill Downs made a financial offer to the Town of Dumfries and increased the number of gaming machines in the facility.

The gambling resort is located on the side of the former Potomac Landfill bordered by Virginia Route 234 and Interstate 95.

“This hasn't been an easy project,” Carstanjen said. "This is a landfill. We're actually taking a landfill here and capping it, converting it into green space with the public park. So this is presented all kinds of technical problems, construction problems, all things that our team just plowed through to make this happen. When you build a project like this, you like a big flat piece of land and lots of open space to do things the way you want to do that, and that's not possible here in Northern Virginia.”

Dumfries Mayor Derrick Wood called the new Rose facility the beginning of a new era for the town, an era of transformation and opportunity.

Proud achievement for Dumfries

“This is a transformation from a landfill to a landmark, an achievement we can all be proud of,” Wood said. The mayor hopes the new facility will draw visitors from across the region and beyond, “putting our town on the map as a destination place in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.”

“The millions in tax revenue generated is going to empower us as a town to reinvest in public service, to improve our infrastructure, and it has enhanced the quality of life for everyone who calls the Town of Dumfries home,” Wood added.

Democratic Virginia Del. Luke Torian thanked the Virginia General Assembly members who helped make The Rose facility possible.

“The Rose could have been built in Loudoun County. It could have been built in Fairfax County, but instead of going to Loudoun County or Fairfax, they came to a community of less than 6,000 residents, a small town with big vision,” Torian said during the grand opening.

The event ended with a ceremonial ribbon cutting that officially opened The Rose Gaming Resort.

VIP Play to upgrade ZenSports sportsbook with Kambi Group technology

VIP Play, Inc., an innovative mobile gambling operator within the U.S. online gambling market, has signed a multi-year agreement with the Kambi Group to power their sportsbook growth in Tennessee and in future markets.

VIP Play, Inc. (formerly known as KeyStar Corp.) acquired the assets of the ZenSports platform in 2022 and has operated in Tennessee as ZenSports since July 2023. VIP Play, Inc. boasts an innovative understanding of sports wagering and expects to use the Kambi Turnkey Sportsbook and its proprietary technology to build an entirely customized version of the Kambi platform compared to what is available in the industry today.

Under the terms of the agreement, VIP Play, Inc. will upgrade its current mobile sportsbook offering by leveraging Kambi's cutting-edge Turnkey Sportsbook solution, which is proven to deliver speed, stability, and flexibility in highly competitive markets across the globe. VIP Play, Inc. aims to utilize Kambi's comprehensive sportsbook solution to create a premium, customer-centric experience by delivering an interactive front end inclusive of market-leading customer acquisition tools. VIP Play, Inc. will also offer iCasino services in permitted U.S. states.

Bruce Cassidy, VIP Play, Inc. CEO & Chairman of the Board, said: "This partnership with Kambi is a pivotal step for VIP Play, Inc. as we work towards establishing a premier sportsbook presence in the U.S. Kambi's market-leading technology, and our internal ability to build proprietary technology on top of the Kambi platform, will enable us to deliver a first-class, interactive sports betting experience and a mutually beneficial partnership for years to come."

Werner Becher, Kambi Group CEO, said: "We are excited to welcome VIP Play, Inc. to the Kambi network as they adopt our trusted Turnkey Sportsbook solution. They have ambitious growth goals, and we look forward to supporting these efforts with Kambi's market-leading sportsbook technology and services. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to empowering operators focused on creating innovative, customer-centered experiences."

Virginia voters say yes to casino in City of Petersburg

A referendum to permit a casino in the City of Petersburg passed as part of Virginia’s election results on Tuesday.

Over 10,000 voters said yes (81.53%) to allow a casino in the city while over 2,000 said no (18.47%). The casino was first offered to Richmond in 2021 and again in 2023. Both referendums failed to pass in the state capital.

The referendum passed on Tuesday overwhelmingly in all seven wards of Petersburg. Ward 4 provided the least support for the casino with 78% saying yes.

From Richmond to Petersburg

Peterburg became an eligible host city for a casino on July 1 after Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed legislation approving the change. This was after Richmond voters rejected the idea twice.

Development of the $1.4 billion mixed-use gaming entertainment resort, named Live! Casino and Hotel Virginia, will be managed by Baltimore-based The Cordish Companies.

The Cordish Companies is a gaming and real estate development company that has developed locations such as Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood and Tampa, Fla., Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino & Hotel Pittsburgh, and Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia.

Following the victory on Tuesday, Zed Smith, chief operating officer of The Cordish Companies, said, “This community has waited a long time for an economic development project of this size and scale, which will provide a huge boost for the city and the entire region.”

Cordish says the project will create thousands of jobs, increase tourism, and generate billions in economic benefits to the city and surrounding area.  The project site is ideally situated at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95 with easy access on and off the East Coast’s major north-south interstate.

Upon completion, the resort will feature more than 400,000 square feet of gaming, hotel, and dining space, 35,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, an upscale 200-room hotel featuring 20 suites, a resort pool and fitness center, 1,600 slot machines, 46 table games, including a 15-table poker room, sportsbook, a 3,000-seat entertainment venue, as well as for meetings, conventions, and social gatherings, and eight food and entertainment options.

Plans for the proposed project include quickly opening a first-phase casino within a year of all applicable approvals to begin creating jobs. The casino would be built on a 92.5-acre development site located off Interstate 95 at Wagner Road along Brassfield Parkway.

Current Virginia Casinos

Two temporary and one permanent casino are currently open in Virginia. The temporary Bristol Casino opened in July 2022 followed by Rivers Casino Portsmouth in January 2023 as Virginia’s first permanent location. A second temporary location, Danville Casino, opened in May 2023.

Bristol Casino will become Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol following its grand opening on Nov. 14. In December, Danville Casino will expand to become a full resort known as Caesars Virginia. But the Commonwealth isn’t done yet.

Norfolk Casino

Last month, the City of Norfolk, along with Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming, and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe held a groundbreaking ceremony to begin construction on a $750 million casino resort in Norfolk.

Robert Gray, Chief of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe told the audience they are ready to embark on a project that will make them more resilient and uplift the Norfolk community. The tribe first proposed a casino in Norfolk in 2018.

“We pursued opening a casino as a way to take control of our destiny, provide our own opportunities while also uplifting the community around us. And that's exactly what we intend to do,” Gray said.

The casino project, once titled HeadWaters Resort & Casino, was delayed several times due to design changes and disagreements between the tribe and city officials. Gray said those challenges “have nearly strengthened our relationship and our shared commitment bringing a best-in-market casino resort to Norfolk.”

Speaking at the groundbreaking, City of Norfolk Major Kenneth Alexander told attendees the casino project is the largest private investment in the city’s history.

“This project approved in 2020 by the voters, symbolizes the confidence in our city's future, not only as the epicenter, but more importantly, as the hub of economic activity and cultural significance in Hampton Roads, in partnership with Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian tribe,” Alexander said.

The Norfolk Casino will feature a 200-room hotel, 13,000 square feet of meeting space, a casino floor big enough to accommodate 1,500 slot machines and 50 table games, eight restaurants and bars, a Spa Fitness Center, and more.

Alexander said the casino will generate $510 million in local economic impact during construction, 2,850 temporary jobs and $173 million in wages, $2.9 billion in economic impact upon completion, 850 permanent jobs, and $583 million in local wages.

Current plans call for a temporary casino to be up and running in October 2025 with the full resort complex following in October 2027. The casino will be located between the city’s Harbor Park baseball stadium and Amtrak Station at 200 Park Ave.