Pittsburgh Rivers Casino Accused of Racist Policies

Some constituents are unhappy in what they perceive become racist policies at Pittsburgh’s Rivers Casino
The Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh is not the type or types of casino that always makes headlines. But one politician that is local worried that the casino has recently put policies into place that show an ugly pattern one that might, in reality, be discriminatory towards black colored patrons.
Earlier this month, an Allegheny County councilwoman called Amanda Green Hawkins wrote a page to the casino’s general manager. In the page, she asked a pointed question about why several events that seemed to be directed at the local African-American community had been cancelled, subjected to higher pricing, or faced other unequal conditions.
According to Councilwoman Hawkins, the page follows a pattern of reports she received from her constituents.
Perhaps policies that are racist
‘There have been allegations of battle discrimination,’ Hawkins stated. ‘Constituents have actually called me or written me e-mails about things they’ve seen going on [at Rivers Casino] that they say are just racism.’
There were examples that are several recent months that prompted the letter. Into the letter, Hawkins highlighted an event held last month by a black motorcycle club called the Pittsburgh Ruff Ryders. The casino found that the big event was overcrowding the area it was being held in, and so shut the event down early. However, there have been questions about why the casino don’t try taking other measures instead, such as closing the doorways and not allowing any more guests in the place.
While that one case by itself might suggest little, Hawkins thought from visitors that it was part of a pattern of behavior from the casino that was being reported to her. For instance, Omega Psi Phi a historically black fraternity was charged $15,000 a year ago to host an event in the casino’s ballroom, which was far more than the fee normally charged to use that venue.
In addition, the casino has recently turn off many events which were known become popular with the community that is black. Boxing matches and coverage of such matches at casino pubs are no longer found there. Meanwhile, a promotion that is popular as ‘Casino Royal Nights,’ organized by African-American promoter Jay Legacy during the casino’s Drum Bar, has also been shut down.
‘In effect, the casino will not conduct or hold any event that attracts or caters up to a large African-American market,’ Hawkins composed.
Casino Ready to React
Interestingly, the casino it self took a line that is soft responding to the accusations. While basic supervisor Craig Clark has not commented on the whole story, casino spokesman Jack Horner told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that they would be delighted to discuss the issue with all the councilwoman.
‘Rivers Casino already has reached out to Councilwoman Hawkins’ workplace to schedule a meeting that is personal our general manager, to deal with any misunderstanding, and to correct the record,’ Horner said.
In the event that allegations turn into accurate, the casino might be found in breach of laws regarding discrimination, though it’s too early to express just exactly how severe any potential punishment could be.
The Rivers Casino was opened in 2009. The casino sits alongside the Ohio River, beside the Carnegie Science Center. Along with 3,000 slot machines that have been on the casino floor since the Rivers’ launch, the casino now features over 100 table games, which were put into the casino in 2010.
Filipino Billionaire Enrique Razon Wants to Just Take Casino Empire Global
Billionaire slot magnate Enrique Razon wants to take a gamble on expansion
Filipino billionaire Enrique Razon comes from a family members that built a port company throughout Southeast Asia, eventually becoming certainly one of the biggest such corporations within the region. Now, Razon is looking for doing the exact same with his casino ventures.
Razon is the owner of Bloomberry Resorts, an ongoing business that operates a $1.2 billion casino resort known as Solaire in Manila. Solaire was given one of four licenses for casino projects in Manila as part of an effort to provide the Philippines a gambling hub that could contend with Macau and Singapore.
Looking at Macau and Latin America
But Razon is looking to expand his casino business similarly to how he took their family’s small ports procedure and switched it into a worldwide procedure. He has already expressed an interest in moving into markets including Latin America as well as the market that is biggest of these all: Macau. While the latter probably can’t happen instantly, Razon hopes that after current licenses begin to expire in Macau in 2020, the government there will open the marketplace to brand new entrants.
‘We just have to build the brand,’ Razon said.
This is simply not the time that is first Razon family has been part of the casino industry. Many years, ago, Enrique’s father was part of a venture with Macau casino magnate Stanley Ho that operated a drifting casino in Manila. But he left that venture, allowing the family to concentrate exclusively in the ports business.
While Razon’s Solaire might be a success, there’s nevertheless plenty of skepticism over whether he’ll have the ability to translate that into an international casino brand.
Expansion Competition
‘ He shall have a harder time expanding his casino ventures overseas,’ said strategist Alex Pomento. ‘Mr. Razon’s expertise has been ports, a continuing business which includes no correlation with video gaming.’
Needless to say, Razon disagrees. He points out that Solaire has attracted a lot of VIP and high-stakes gamblers, sufficient that 30 junket that is so-called have decided to work with the casino. Those companies offer credit and arrange trips for Chinese and Asian gamblers who want to make visits to international casinos.
Razon also believes that their ports business can give him a actually leg up in some markets particularly in Latin America.
‘we have the advantage there because we are the port operator that is biggest there. The landscape is known by us,’ he stated.
Of course, Razon will face a good amount of competition as he tries to push his fledgling casino brand. Both domestic and foreign, including Sands and Wynn in Macau, he’ll face resistance from established brands. Even within the Philippines, several other operators will be contending for influence, including tycoon Henry Sy, who has partnered with Melco Crown to open a $1.3 billion casino complex in 2014. How successful Razon reaches moving to your the top of market that is local figure out whether international expansion is in the cards.
The Razon household is better known with regards to their ownership of International Container Terminal Services, business that Enrique and his father began in 1987. Today, the business (known as ICTSI) is the Philippines’ largest ports operator and also operates in India, Argentina and Colombia.
Scottish Soccer Player Ian Black Accused of Betting Against Personal Team
Scottish soccer player Ian Black could face sanctions and even worse for sports bets against his own team
When considering towards the rules of conduct for players and coaches in activities, you’ll find nothing taken more seriously than gambling. It’s not hard to comprehend why: while other hot issues in sports such as performance enhancing drugs may provide some players an advantage that is unfair they don’t replace the fundamental competition using put on the field. Whenever players and coaches gamble regarding the games, on the other hand, the legitimacy of the competition itself is thrown into question.
Made Bets His Team Would Lose
That’s why allegations taken from Scotland this week are being taken so seriously. The Scottish Football Association the body that is governing soccer in that country is accusing player Ian Black of wagering on matches on his own team on many occasions over the last seven years. Worse still, in at least three of those instances, he is accused of betting that his team that is own would.
To be clear, Black isn’t being accused of trying to fix the games he played in. Even in the games in which he bet against their team that is own SFA doesn’t believe he attempted to benefit by playing defectively or else increasing the opportunity of his team losing.
But it doesn’t suggest that the 28-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for the Glasgow Rangers, wouldn’t face serious punishments for his betting habits. Due to the 13 times he bet on or against his team that is own with 147 other bets he made on matches he didn’t be a part of, Black could face an excellent of up to $1.3 million.
Violated rules that are anti-Gambling
In making these bets, Black violated an anti-gambling guideline disciplinary rule 22 that is in the books throughout his career, which spanned his time at Hearts, Inverness, and now with the Rangers. The rule states that ‘no club, formal, team official or other member of group staff, player, match official or other individual under the jurisdiction of the Scottish FA shall bet at all on a football match.’ While there are exceptions for several authorized ‘football pools,’ the ban also includes all football matches any place in the world and therefore Black would be dealing with punishment also if he had not bet on his or her own group.
However, the bets on his own team do make the likelihood of even harsher punishments for Black. Based on the SFA, Black could face a suspension system along with their fine, in which he may potentially even receive a life time ban from playing soccer.
Ebony has already had a long job for clubs in Scotland, beginning with a 132-game stint at Inverness from 2004 to 2009. He then relocated to the favorite club of their childhood, Hearts, for 36 months before joining Rangers last year. Ebony has additionally played one game for Scotland’s nationwide team, coming in as an alternative in a friendly against Australia. Black’s family features a long history of playing soccer, as his daddy was a player that is professional well, playing for both Hearts and Hibernian.
This is not the time that is first Ebony has made headlines for off-the-field activities. In 2011, he and a teammate had been arrested and charged with medication possession at an Edinburgh club, though the case as since been dismissed night. Later that 12 months, when Hearts was struggling to pay player salaries for a time that is short he had been said to have taken up a part-time task being a painter and decorator to cover his bills.